AYV News, September 6, 2024

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has expressed dismay that as a country, Sierra Leone has little of real value to show for nearly a century of mining.

President Bio said: “Our assessment of the strategic value of our mineral resources is that we must, henceforth, derive maximum benefits from that sector for the development of our nation. Today in Beijing, I witnessed the signing of a landmark agreement between the Mineral Wealth Fund Sierra Leone and China Overseas Engineering Group, which is a subsidiary of the China railway engineering corporation”.

The Agreement according to President Bio will open up the mining sector through key investments in Tonkolili Iron Ore deposits and other infrastructure that are critical and transformational for our nation’s economic development.

In Beijing also, President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, has praised the leadership of President Bio and reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing cooperation between China and Sierra Leone.

President Jinping expressed his appreciation for President Bio’s contributions to global peace and security, particularly highlighting his recent successful presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

President Xi commended President Bio for his steadfast leadership of the African Union’s C-10 and reiterated China’s support for Africa’s call for reform of the UN Security Council.

On a bilateral level, President Xi Jinping pledged to bolster cooperation between China and Sierra Leone across various sectors, including agriculture, fisheries, mining, infrastructure development, resource lending initiatives, and security.

Additionally, President Xi announced an increase in Chinese development assistance to Sierra Leone.

In response, President Bio expressed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping for the ongoing support and assistance provided to Sierra Leone, noting significant improvements in the China-Sierra Leone relationship.

He also acknowledged the International Fish Export Certification received by Sierra Leone, emphasising that it would enhance trade relations between the two nations.

President Bio further underscored the urgent need to address the persistent security challenges in the Sahel region.

“I want to assure you that Sierra Leone will continue to be a reliable partner and a dependable friend to China,” President Bio stated.

Later, President Xi Jinping hosted President Bio and his wife, Fatima Bio, along with other Heads of State, at a banquet reception to welcome them ahead of the official opening ceremony of FOCAC.