Sierra Leone Showcases Trade and Fisheries Potentials at WTO Conference

Geneva, Switzerland, Monday 13 June 2022- At the ongoing World Trade Organisation (WTO) Conference, the Technical Heads of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources have participated in a dialogue meeting on Trade and Food Security and EIF Support to LDCs on the margins of the 12th Ministerial Conference.

Sierra Leone a beneficiary of the Enhanced Integrated Frame work project participated at the meeting of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Enhanced Integrated Frame Committee and Board members.

Acting Chief Director of Trade, Emmanuel Konjoh, and Director of Policy Planning and Research, of the Ministry of Trade and Industry participating at the meeting affirmed benefits for both the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Tourism and Culture through the Capacity Building Support of the Tier 2 tourism project which saw the refurbishment of the Hotel and tourism training centre and training component of key technical staff and also development of key polices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry that includes Cooperative Policy and the AFCFTA capacity development.
Building back for Growth from the COVID-19 pandemic is a key pillar in the National Trade Strategy and the support of EIF in driving this is critical and important. Plea for a no cost extension to the Sustainability Support Programme was highlighted at the meeting.

The importance of supporting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and especially Women in Trade was highlighted at the meeting. How do we make our MSMEs export ready, competitive and inclusive for the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) market was discussed? With the recently launched MUNFA Programme it is believed that the Phase 3 EIF support will strengthen the MSMEs and better prepare them to participate both domestically and internationally.

Sierra Leone will play host to senior management staff of the EIF in September 2022 to assess the current work programme and finalise details of the new project.

Director of Fisheries at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Madam Kadijatu Jalloh, highlighted the importance of fish to the diet and protein level of Sierra Leoneans and its contribution to national GDP including the jobs created directly and indirectly. She spoke on the agreement on new rules to limit subsidies that undermine fish stocks, and reinvigorating discussions to reform global agriculture markets.

Sierra Leone as a coastal country is vulnerable to overfishing due to the subsidies afforded to foreign vessels and supports and the call to complete the Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations for MC12 and stop funding overfishing.

The Director of Fisheries, of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Madam Kadijatu Jalloh, highlighted the numerous gains the government has made in the past year in the sector. She called for more harmonization, fairness and equity at the global level.

Madam Kadijatu Jalloh reaffirmed the government's commitment to boosting the country's economy and collaborating with other WTO member states of Fisheries ministers in strengthening the global sector.

Stay tuned to our work at the MC12 by following us on Twitter @EmbassySierra #MC12, and visit our website https://missionsierraleone.ch/

*For More Enquiries:
Mohamed Sheriff
Information Attaché, Geneva, Switzerland
+41791756648
Email: m.sheriff@slmge.ch*