By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Sierra Leone’s Non-Resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas, on Tuesday 27 May 2025 engaged his Excellency Khalid Yousif Aljalhma, undersecretary for political affairs at Bahrain’s ministry of foreign affairs, in high-level talks centered on the implementation of mutually beneficial development projects between the two nations, the meeting, held in manama, forms part of a four-day official working visit by Ambassador Thomas aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties between Sierra Leone and Bahrain.
In her opening remarks, ambassador Thomas emphasized that her visit was a follow-up to previously initiated engagements between the two governments, she reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to finalizing outstanding bilateral agreements and promoting investment opportunities within a supportive and expanding economic environment.
Sierra Leone presents vast opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and mining, with a wealth of natural resources including diamonds, gold, rutile, bauxite, and iron ore, she said, our government has also introduced tax incentives to encourage foreign direct investment, particularly in eco-tourism, renewable energy, fisheries, and agribusiness.
She highlighted Sierra Leone’s national food security strategy, the feed Salone program, as a key government initiative creating avenues for increased productivity and private sector involvement in agriculture, responding, undersecretary Aljalhma commended Sierra Leone’s support for Bahrain’s successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He welcomed the momentum to strengthen bilateral cooperation and underscored Bahrain’s commitment to linking tangible development projects with any signed bilateral agreement.
He explained that Bahrain’s new foreign policy framework includes developing tailored action plans for bilateral agreements, which would be shared with embassies for consultation and follow-up. He assured the Sierra Leone delegation of his office’s readiness to monitor and advance unresolved matters related to cooperation between the two countries.
Earlier in the day, Ambassador Thomas and her delegation met with His Excellency Sheikh bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. The discussions explored potential collaborations in arts, literature, film, architecture, museums, libraries, and cultural preservation.
The parties agreed to promote cultural exchange and consider Sierra Leone’s participation in Bahrain’s annual festivals and cultural programs; Ambassador Thomas was accompanied by Minister Counsellor and Head of Chancery Mr. Momodu Wurie and the Embassy’s Information Attaché.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 30TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
