Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed F. Bangura is at present in China as part of an advanced team for President Julius Maada Bio’s upcoming State visit to China. The Minister has already begun engaging key financial institutions including the China Development Bank, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), People’s Bank of China and the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank and others for potential economic cooperation between Sierra Leone and China.The meetings were also aimed at carving out mutual cooperation in infrastructural development and other investment opportunities. President Bio is scheduled to visit China at the end of February to further solidify relations between the two Countries. The crux of the state visit is the signing of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding that will boost economic cooperation between Sierra Leone and China.

The presence of the Finance Minister in China ahead of the State visit demonstrates Sierra Leone’s commitment to strengthening its economic ties with China as well as attracting foreign investment to drive economic growth and development in the country.

The discussions with Chinese financial institutions are a crucial step in laying out the groundwork for fruitful cooperation between the two nations. The outcomes of such discussions will hopefully enhance economic relations between Sierra Leone and China, paving ways for greater collaboration and partnership in the future.