- January 25, 2021
- Posted by: cyril
- Category: Embassy Activities
25th January 2021
South Surrah, Al-Zarrah, Kuwait
The Sierra Leone Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas has described Sierra Leone as a potential spot for tourism and investment in Africa.
In a recent interview with the Kuwait National Television, Her Excellency Haja Ishata Thomas delved into Sierra Leone’s immense touristic and investment potentials, while further probing into other key topics bordering on its rich history, agriculture, mineral and marine resources.
With a population of approximately 7 million, she revealed Sierra Leone is a very peaceful and beautiful West African country with warm, respectful, friendly and exceptionally accommodating people.
Acknowledging the progress made in reviving Sierra Leone’s tourism sector, HE Haja Ishata Thomas complemented President Bio’s strides to build an economically-vibrant tourism sector and also create a conducive investment environment for all investors, noting further that the transformation has been considered an economic boost to the country’s economic.
“Sierra Leone is endowed with tremendous touristic potential. The country prides itself in having some of the world’s most beautiful white and golden pristine beaches stretched several kilometres along the peninsula, with beautiful hotels and resorts for perfect relaxation. The country’s capital sits near the Atlantic Ocean, making the country a hub for business, as it has one of the largest natural harbours in the world.”
“Sierra Leone has a vibrant tropical forest teeming with exotic wildlife and excellent climate. From the exquisite Bonthe and Banana Islands, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for Chimpanzees, the bountiful marine resources, sprawling hills and ranging Lion Mountains overlooking the city, to Bunce Island, the cradle of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, this beautiful diamond-shaped country is one of the most sight-seeing ecotourism destinations to visit,” Ambassador Thomas disclosed.
She also noted that: “Apart from the continued growth tourism has experienced, Sierra Leone is endowed with abundant natural resources, including mineral deposits like diamond, gold, bauxite, rutile, iron ore, zinc etc. The country is also blessed with arable land for agricultural activities. We produce rice, coffee, cocoa, abundant vegetable, fruits and rear livestock. Sierra Leone stands to be the best investment and touristic environment within the West African sub-region.”
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s rich history, she observed that a significant part of Sierra Leone’s history could be ascribed to the arrival of Pedro da Cintra, a Portuguese Explorer, who arrived along the West African coast in September 1462 during the rainy season, adding that in seeing the shape of mountains like a Lion amidst the thunderstorm, he named the mountains as ‘Sierra Lyoa’ (meaning Lion Mountains in Portuguese). “The name was later changed to Sierra Leone. After Pedro da Cintra’s discovery, foreign influence in the area increased and trade commenced between the locals and Europeans in the form of a barter system.”
As Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the State of Kuwait, she entreated Kuwaiti tourist and investors to explore Sierra Leone and grab the opportunity to invest in ecotourism, infrastructure, oil and gas, adding that Visas for tourists and investors would be available on arrival.
Cyril Barnes,
Information Attaché,
Sierra Leone Embassy,
The State of Kuwait,
Contact: +96599827207