In our Tuesday 4 October issue we carried a story about the opening of a new Sierra Leone consul in Bavaria, southern Germany. Following his appointment by President Ernest Bai Koroma as Honorary Consul, Dr. Dietmar Scheiter has started work in earnest. He is an entrepreneur working with companies in Germany to develop new products for new markets. Bavaria is one of the most developed, innovative and technological regions in Germany. Our correspondent, Sarah Bomkapre Kamara sat down with Dr. Dietmar Scheiter in the premises of his new office in Munich to discuss his plans, hopes and wishes for the relationship between the region of Bavaria and Sierra Leone.
Politico: As an Entrepreneur, how do you feel about your new appointment
Dr. Scheiter: As an entrepreneur, we live always with a certain portion of uncertainty since we cannot exactly predict what will be successful in what we do, or what maybe less successful. But what is a characteristic for the entrepreneur is that he is in a way curious and is always willing to take risks and this is how I look at this my new challenge. We have to find out what we can do for the country, what we can do for the Sierra Leonean people here in Bavaria and from there on we see what works well and what works not so well. And so we have to adjust the course of activities. So I am very excited about my new appointment.
Politico: Could you tell us why you became interested in Sierra Leone?
Dr. Scheiter: I am a devoted Catholic and the Christian belief is important in my life and so receiving a lot would mean, for me, to give back. I am willing to devote a certain part of my time to charity work, one of which is taking over the consulate of Sierra Leone. We feel we have a very good situation here in Germany and there are many places in the world where the situation can be improved and where we can be of help. I am very happy if I can assist and give my little contribution to the world.
Politico: Have you already identified sectors in Sierra Leone where you think the country can benefit from this new relationship?
Dr. Scheiter: I think there are and I had indeed seen some when I visited Freetown earlier this year. I think it is important for companies in Sierra Leone to have a contact desk in Bavaria. As you know Bavaria is an important economic state in Germany so it is easier for them to speak to a representative here when they want to export services, products and goods. The main objective is there could be someone the companies could speak to. The second area is that we can start the initiative for Bavarian companies in certain industry sectors that could be of interest in investing in Sierra Leone. During my visit I had discussions with the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA) on the different business areas and branches. Whether it is tourism, whether it is food production projects, we are trying to make contacts and raise the interest of Bavarian companies to go to Sierra Leone and invest there.
Politico: You also mentioned your work with the Max Planck Institute for Science Research in your speech during the opening of your office. Is there a possibility of building a relationship between this research institute and the University of Sierra Leone or other Institutions in Sierra Leone?
Dr. Scheiter: As I explained in my speech I have close relationships with the Max Planck Society but at this point in time it is an idea only. We have to first find out if there are appropriate fields where it could make sense to co-operate. Within the next six to nine months or more we will see whether there are interesting opportunities.
Politico: One of your duties is to represent Sierra Leoneans in Bavaria. Have you already met the Sierra Leonean community in Bavaria or do you have plans to do so?
Dr. Scheiter: Well I have met the representatives from the Sierra Friends – this is a community of Sierra Leoneans in Bavaria. As you know we have about 350 Sierra Leoneans living in Bavaria which is a significant group. In our first discussions I found out they are very positive and I would like to establish and intensify the contacts with the community. But we have to find the right way of communicating and exchanging information.
Politico: You went to Sierra Leone for the first time earlier this year. What were your impressions of the country before, and after you came back to Germany?
Dr. Scheiter: I have learned to not have too specified expectations before entering an unknown territory so I was very open when I went and I had very good and very positive discussions with the representatives of the government, with different ministers and key administrators in the country. But also I was impressed just going through the streets of Freetown and seeing so many colours, music, the vibrancy and friendliness of the people. It was not in direct correlation with the difficult economic situation of the country. I felt people were so positive and optimistic and that again gives me as an entrepreneur a very positive feeling that many things can be achieved.
Politico: And what are the hopes and aspirations that you have for the coming years for Sierra Leone?
Dr. Scheiter: It is difficult to be precise to answer this question at this point in time. I still don't know enough. This is why I want to continue the dialogue with the Sierra Leoneans here in Bavaria to know what their expectations are, what their ambitions are and then I can also find out about what the contacts on the business side in the next coming weeks and months can bring. So I am still open and want to ask you to come back maybe in a year from now and ask us what have we done or achieved. One more remark: it is easy to say in the beginning I want to achieve this and this and this, then you don't manage and disappointment is high. So let's see what is realistic and try to make small steps, but continuously.
Politico: And in seeing what is realistic, at the end of your service as the Honorary Consul of Sierra Leone in Bavaria how would you like to see the relationship between Bavaria and Sierra Leone?
Dr. Scheiter: Actually, I would like to see Sierra Leone come up from the last but one place in the Bavarian trade statistics to an appropriate place where I think it belongs. And that is something that will make me really happy if we can really start to have more businesses from Sierra Leone to Bavaria and from Bavaria to Sierra Leone. This is one of the things I would like to achieve. Also I would like to have a close contact with the Sierra Leonean community here and would like to give them my moral support. I would like them to have a little more affection for the Bavarian culture and to their 'Heimat' (home country) culture. The third objective would be to identify projects where we can be of help with money that we raise here that we can give to Sierra Leonean organisations in Sierra Leone; for water, for nutrition, for health or for education. I already see projects possible in the area of water.
