By Politico staff writer
The President of China, Xi Jinping has welcomed the newly appointed Sierra Leone Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Abu Bakarr Karim.
President Xi received Ambassador Karim at the Presidential Palace in Beijing, as the latter presented his Letter of Credence to the Chinese President on January 30, this year.
Congratulating the new ambassador, the Chinese President applauded the “existing” bilateral relationship between the two nations, highlighting the collaboration in the areas of infrastructure, education, health and commerce, noting his desire to strengthen the cooperation between the countries.
In his final statement, the Chinese leader extended his “wishes” to the Sierra Leone’s government and the people of Sierra Leone.
Addressing staff of the Sierra Leone Embassy in China during the ceremony, ambassador Karim commended them for their “hard work, dedication, professionalism and crucial role” in advancing the interest of Sierra Leone in China.
In his closing remarks, he thanked the President of Sierra Leone for giving him the responsibility to represent the country in China, emphasizing his dedication to “effectively“carry out his duties as a representative of Sierra Leone in Chine.
China and Sierra Leone have had a long-standing bilateral relationship spanning over fifty years.
The presentation of credentials by the newly appointed Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Chine marks the formal introduction of the leadership of the host nation that signifies beginning of his diplomatic responsibilities.
Copyright (c) 2024 (Politico 02/02/24)
Min. of Fisheries promises to increase fish production
By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
At the Government’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, 30th January this year, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba promised to increase fish productivity in Sierra Leone, which she said is an integral part of feeding “ourselves.”
“We will make sure that fish is plenty across the country,” Dugbla said, adding that they would put all mechanisms in place to increase fish production in the industry.
She maintained that they are working with the European Union and the Government of China on the removal of the restrictive Yellow Card to allow the export of Sierra Leone’s fish to the said countries.
Speaking about their success in 2023, she maintained that their target was to have raised revenue of one hundred and ten billion old Leones, but that they ended generating one hundred and nineteen billion old Leones in the end.
She noted that they had an engagement with the fishing companies about their desire to increase revenue, saying they have put modalities in place to increase her ministry’s annual revenue. ”We have put modalities in place in surpassing the nineteen billion Leones we generated last year,” she emphasized.
The minister went on to say they have signed and reviewed a memorandum of understanding between their ministry and the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) for the incorporation of Standard Operating Procedures. ”We want to have cordiality with SLMA in which we can go and inspect the vessels at our seas so that illegal fishing will stop,” she added.
On fish farming, Dugba said those intending to engage in the said activity should register with the ministry, to enable them monitor those fishing farms.
She stated that they subsidized the costs of fishing nets to anglers using rod and line.
”Through donor funds, we subsidized at a reduced cost because we know that not all of those fishermen can afford to buy those nets,” she stated. She said they discourage the anglers also from using monofilament nets for fishing, as it would endanger the growing of the fish population.
Copyright (c) 2024 (Politico 02/02/24)
