Dr. Dennis Matanda who had an introductory visit to the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) on 28th March, 2019, is the United Nation Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Leading International Consultant manning the African Continental Free Trade Agreement Area (AfCFTA) in Sierra Leon and Gambia.
The task of AfCFTA according to Dr. Matanda, is to increase the amount of inter- Africa Trade which means they are focusing on investment and export. He said this explains the reason to establish a working relationship with SLIEPA being the most important Agency to help them achieve their goal.
According to Dr. Matanda, Sierra Leone does not do much of Inter-Africa Trade as it does in the International Community. If they are to achieve their objective, he said, their primary role is to find creative ways to promote investment for Sierra Leone and trade between it and other African Countries.
Dr. Matanda stated that twenty countries have signed the agreement establishing the AfCFTA treaty and Gambia is on the verge to following suit. He said they will start agreement operation for Sierra Leone by June 2019. He continued saying that they will work with SLIEPA and other partners to develop and present a comprehensive National Trade and investment Strategy to the Government and the people of Sierra Leone.
Mr. Bobson Margai, the SLIEPA Acting Director of Export Development who also acted in the capacity of the Chief Executive Officer, delightfully welcomed and thanked the Consultant for coming; saying that there is a need for the African Continental Free Trade Area, considering the importance of trade between African countries. He said the mandate of SLIEPA is to promote investment and export, therefore the Agency welcomes projects of common interest. Mr. Margai wished that the working relationship between SLIEPA and UNECA would be fruitful.
Having gone through discussions establishing a thorough understanding of the implementation of AfCFTA, Subsequent meetings were proposed.
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