Following the discussion between the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Country Representative on the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) West Africa Competitiveness Project in Sierra Leone, Mr. Shaukat Hussain, the New Technical Advisor, for the said project, on the 6th March, 2019 paid a courtesy call on the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Sheku Lexmond Koroma and his SLIEPA Team.
The 11th EDF West Africa project involves UNIDO spear heading the implementation of the program titled “Increasing Competitiveness Through Enhancing productivity and Trade Compliance in selected Value Chain” the project focuses on crops such as cassava, palm oil and cocoa. The project aims to support value chain, to promote structural transformation and better access to regional and international markets; with an objective of strengthening the competitiveness of Sierra Leone and augmenting its integration into the regional and international trading system. It has a huge component of EU financing that will be spread among SLIEPA, the Produce Marketing Board (PMB) and the Sierra Leone Standard Bureau (SLSB) based on activities.
The visit of the New Technical Advisor was meant to familiarize himself with the SLIEPA Team as a start to a good working relationship. Mr. Hussain expressed much wiliness to working with the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency towards the achievement of the project.
The SLIEPA CEO, Mr. Koroma, pleasingly welcomed Mr. Hussain and committed SLIEPA to working with him and the other partners in ensuring that the EDF West Africa Competitiveness Project achieves its aim and objectives. He said the project is crucial to the improvement of Sierra Leone business climate at national and international levels which he believes will have a positive reflection on the Country’s economy.
The implementation of the project starts after the inaugural launch on the 19th March, 2019.