The Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency SLIPA Adeyormie Rodney Sandy has said that his agency is planning to work out the necessary modalities with partners for the instant banning of the Blood Diamond film that depicts the negative part of Sierra Leone to the world.
This was disclosed to journalists in Freetown during an induction and orientation program of the agency which started operations on May 15, 2008 after taking over from the former Sierra Leone Export and Development Investment Corporation SLEDIC that was dissolved due to poor performance.
Promotion of export and investment to an international market is one of the top most priority of the agency along with re -branding the dented image of the country for credible investors to come in to the country.
“This blood diamond film is sending bad signals to the world about Sierra Leone” Sandy stressed.
The agency is also planning to design a website address, that will highlight potential investment opportunities and development of information brochures is also underway.
Development of partnership and a corporate logo will be developed to identify the agency with the good sides of Sierra Leone Mr. Sandy noted.
He maintained that the agency will coordinate and facilitate public and private sector partnership and implementation of the national tourism policy and the formation of a national export association that will be linked to other development partners who are involved in export for the identification of value added projects.
He added that (SLIEPA) is presently undertaking the ratification of investment and policy review, compilation of investment incentives, development of entrepreneurship and bankable projects with special emphasis on Agricultural production for food self sufficiency.
Mr. Sandy expressed his commitment and determination to promote credible investments that are committed to improving the lives of the people by building their capacity and also implementing corporate responsibilities of investors in developing communities or improving social facilities in the country.
He noted that, the agency will serve as a bridge between Government and investment partners as they will take a leading role in building the image of Sierra Leone and providing information about potential market for investors to explore.
He however called on Government and stake holders to facilitate investment that will complement government effort in enhancing rapid development, through shared vision and political will, with the support from the public and private sector to make the agency a one stop shop for massive investment.
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