In a bid to revamp the economy after the Ebola outbreak the 2nd Egyptian Trade fair and exhibition has commenced with 17 Egyptian companies having their wares on display.
The trade fair was launched past Friday at the Miatta Conference Center, Brookfield’s in Freetown by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mabinty Daramy.
The trade minister welcomed the Egyptian companies and applauded them for their participation.
She said the exhibition will send a signal that despite the Ebola outbreak the country is still open for business and encouraged them to facilitate trade and investments between Sierra Leone and Egypt.
She also said that local companies can partner with the Egyptian companies through joint ventures and experience-sharing.
The Marketing Manager of the Pharaoh Egypt Exhibition, Mahmoud Elshaer said they are happy to revisit the country since they left in 2014.
He said the current venue for the exhibition, the Miatta Conference Center is better than the previous venue which was held at the Atlantic hall of the National Stadium which attracted very few customers.
He said 17 Egyptian companies are participating in the exhibition offering variety of products including household furniture, shoes, bags, decorations, jewelries, men and women wears, ceramic tiles and other products, etc.
He said Sierra Leone is a business friendly country and expressed sympathy over the death of many people due to Ebola.
He said the Ebola Virus Disease made it impossible for them to visit the country in 2014 and hoped that the exhibition will continue annually with the participation of more companies.
The Marketing Manager highlighted a number of challenges including the high import taxes and shipping cost which he maintained are responsible for the related high prices of their goods.
He appealed to the Government of Sierra Leone to provide tax concession for Egyptian companies participating in the trade fair in order that prices on their products can be reduced to meet the demands of its citizens.
Mahmoud Elshaer assured of the quality of the made-in-Egypt goods and encouraged the public to visit the Exhibition which started on Friday, 29th January. It is expected to end on Monday, February 15, 2016. He said purchases can be made on retail as well as on wholesale.
By Saidu Bah
Tuesday February 02, 2016
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