The PR Office attended the AMR Gold sponsored UK-Sierra Leone Trade & Investment Forum which took place in London last week, marking the country’s most significant investment outreach in recent years.

The Sierra Leone government used the UK-Sierra Leone Trade & Investment Forum to drive home its Post-Ebola Recovery Plan aimed at restoring and strengthening private sector growth and encouraging new inward investment.

The PR Office liaised with the forum organisers, the Developing Markets Associates (DMA), in advance of the conference that saw the Sierra Leonne government present its investment priorities for key sectors – including extractives, agriculture and infrastructure – to senior figures from the international business and investment community.

The day was comprised of both plenary and more targeted sessions, where senior ministers were joined by AMR Gold and other high-level private sector representatives in highlighting investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.

AMR Gold’s Special Technical Advisor, Colin Harris, presented to delegates during a session entitled ‘Investing in Extractives’ and highlighted AMR Gold’s work as an example of best practice. He particularly focused on investment into the local community and the over 300 Sierra Leonean’s currently employed by subsidiary company, the Wilkinson Hill Mining Company.

Sierra Leonean Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Samura Kamara, read an address from President Ernest Koroma in which he said: “Ebola closed the door on us for over a year, but we have defeated the evil virus and today we are partnering with [DMA] to showcase the great investment opportunities in Sierra Leone.”

The president stressed his government’s strong focus on partnering with the private sector.

After the event, AMR Gold Director Gary Vallerius said: “This was an important day to discuss future investment in Sierra Leone. We chose to sponsor this event which showcases the opportunities in Sierra Leone to highlight the benefit of responsible investment both to the local community and foreign investors.”