A new project from the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency, launched last week, aims to increase exports.
One issue in exports has been a lack of quality packaging, an impediment to Sierra Leone’s export strategy. An increase in export activity would help the nation recover economically from the Ebola virus outbreak.
“Boosting trade competitiveness will invariably contribute to raising much-needed funds to finance reconstruction efforts following the devastation caused by the Ebola crisis,” Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj said. “This project heralds an important breakthrough in the country’s recovery. We are proud to be working alongside the Government of Sierra Leone by providing targeted assistance in strategic areas that will help grow the economy and improve future prospects.”
Within this project, small and medium-size enterprises will receive organizational support from the secretariat. Targeted industries include those that struggle with packaging, including manufacturing, fishing and agriculture.
The launch of the project was officiated by acting Minister of Trade and Industry Mabinty Daramy, alongside other government officials and key representatives from the private sector and stakeholders.
