By Emma Black
In a strategic move to attract foreign investment into Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector, on Thursday12 June 2025 his Excellency Ambassador Salamu Koroma, Sierra Leone’s top envoy to the Islamic Republic of Iran, has held a high-level meeting with Mr. H.R. Farnia, CEO of Iranian-Chinese agro-industrial powerhouse ARTA AGROCHEM, at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran.
The diplomatic engagement focused on exploring opportunities for agricultural partnerships that would enhance Sierra Leone’s food security, promote mechanized farming, and boost agribusiness trade between the West African nation and global markets.
ARTA AGROCHEM is a major player in agrochemical production and agricultural exports, with a dual operational base in Iran and China, the firm specializes in supplying advanced hydrochemical fertilizers, pesticides, and other farm inputs, sourced from reputable global brands, since 2016, the company has also expanded into the cultivation, processing, and export of premium Iranian produce including pistachios, saffron, dates, and semi-processed frozen foods via a robust global distribution network.
During the meeting, Mr. Farnia expressed growing interest in Sierra Leone’s agricultural potential, describing the country as a “strategic gateway” for agro-industrial growth in West Africa, he revealed plans to develop long-term partnerships with local importers, cooperatives, and agribusiness stakeholders, with the aim of increasing crop productivity and introducing innovative farming solutions tailored to Sierra Leone’s climate.
Highlighting the firm’s experience organizing international agricultural exhibitions, Mr. Farnia extended an invitation to Ambassador Koroma to visit ARTA AGROCHEM’s production facilities in Isfahan Province, he also proposed a follow up virtual roundtable with Sierra Leonean agricultural stakeholders to further assess investment readiness and areas of collaboration.
Ambassador Koroma warmly welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and aligned with the government’s national priorities for food self-sufficiency and economic diversification.
Sierra Leone is open for business, particularly in agriculture, which is a flagship sector under our national development agenda, he said, we offer abundant arable land, reliable rainfall, a peaceful and stable environment, a youthful and trainable labor force, and a gateway seaport ideal for regional and international trade.
The ambassador stressed the need to transition from subsistence to mechanized agriculture, noting that such a shift would not only increase yields and reduce import dependency, but also create employment and bolster export revenue, he encouraged ARTA AGROCHEM to undertake a fact-finding mission to Sierra Leone, and formally requested a detailed investment proposal that could guide future engagement with the government and private sector.
He also pledged the embassy’s full support in providing guidance on the country’s investment incentives, legal framework, tax relief policies, and other relevant information to facilitate a smooth entry into the Sierra Leonean market.
the meeting, Ambassador Koroma reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s readiness to strengthen bilateral and multilateral partnerships aimed at sustainable agricultural development, innovation, and trade, he thanked Mr. Farnia and his delegation for their forward-looking interest and emphasized that such collaborations are crucial to transforming the country’s agricultural landscape.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 16TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
