Chargé D’ Affairés, Embassy of Sierra Leone, People’s Republic of China, Madam Kumba Alice Momoh, during the month of June, presented to the China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund) a copy of Sierra Leone’s Ebola Recovery Strategy, with a clear motive of exploring more support towards the country’s post Ebola development period.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, held in Beijing at the offices of CADFund, Madam Kumba Alice Momoh expressed her country’s profound gratitude to CADFund for the support hitherto provided in the sum of (US$150,000) One Hundred And Fifty Thousand United States Dollars towards the fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone, which she said, “was a clear manifestation of CADFund’s true friendship with Sierra Leone.”
Presenting the Ebola Recovery Strategy to the CADFund’s Chairman, Chi Jianxin, Madam Momoh referred to the document as an important roadmap for the country’s post Ebola development plans as it speaks volume of Government’s activities to be undertaken in kick starting the country’s economy.
Madam Momoh, who was accompanied by the Head of Chancery, Unis Sahid Kamara, also dilated on the national efforts in tackling the virus, the success of which, she said, led to the reopening of schools and other higher institutions of learning in the country.
She emphasized the need for more improved medical facilities, energy and telecommunications investment opportunities, and informed the CADFund Chairman about companies with expressed interest to invest in Sierra Leone, especially in the Energy and Telecommunications sectors.
Responding, Chi Jianxin assured of his institution’s continued intention to assist Sierra Leone especially in line with her development plan. As a country, China, he said, encourages Chinese Companies to focus their investment opportunities in Africa. He commended Sierra Leone’s outstanding efforts in the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease, which he said, is encouraging for the country’s economic development.
Chi Jianxin thanked Madam Momoh for presenting the Post Ebola Recovery Strategy to CADFund, a document he said, they could even use as guide in the strategy for supporting the three nations most affected by the virus.
CADFund, established in 2006 as the first Chinese equity investment fund, and primarily focusing on investment in Africa is aimed at enhancing China –Africa economic cooperation as well promoting Africa’s development through direct investment.
With representative offices in four African countries –South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia, the Fund has many years of experience in investment in Africa and has often focused its Investment opportunities on industrialization, urbanization, infrastructural development, transportation, electricity, railways and the manufacturing sector.
In a related development, Madam Momoh, whilst presenting the Ebola Recovery Strategy to the Deputy Director-General for Africa, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke of Sierra Leone’s economic growth prior to the Ebola outbreak in the country, which she said, had been encouraging, but for the outbreak.
The EVD, Madam Momoh told the Chinese top Diplomat, has affected the country’s growth in Agriculture, Mining, Transport and Tourism, and in Domestic and International Trade, but she maintained that with the present Post Ebola Strategic Recovery Plan, the country is optimistic of meeting the challenges brought by the virus.
The country’s post Ebola Recovery Strategy looks at the Economic impact of the Ebola Crisis; Impact on macroeconomic aggregates; Social Impact of the Disease; and Impact on Governance, Security and Justice System. It also highlights Immediate Recovery Strategies, like Getting to and Maintaining Zero Infections and Managing and Mitigating Immediate Ebola Impact; Restoring Economic Growth and Output; Precondition underpinning immediate recovery efforts; and Building National Systems for Resilience and Sustainable Development.
John Baimba Sesay
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone Embassy
People’s Republic of China
