The International headlines on West Africa particularly on Sierra Leone has recently been focusing on the Ebola crisis which has negatively impacted the region’s economic, political and social fabrics. So the Institute of Export was pleased to support a forum organised by the Union of Sierra Leoneans (USL) UK & IRE at the House of Commons on Monday 13th October 2014 by courtesy of   Mr Jeremy Lefroy. – Member of the International Development Committee and Member of Parliament for Stafford, who was the keynote speaker.

The theme of the event was “Trade and Investment – Destination Sierra Leone” and it was well attended.  Participants included diplomats and staff from the Sierra Leone High Commission, members from the Institute of Export, Dawnus, UKTI, young entrepreneurs from various African communities including Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. The Chairman for the occasion was Mr David Billingsby International Advisor from UKTI. The Guest speakers’ topics related to trade and investment were as follows:

•  Lesley Batchelor, OBE, Institute of Export – Skills, Training & Information: Careers in International Trade & Enterprise
• Jeremy Lefroy, MP for Stafford – IDC Inquiry into Sierra Leone.
• H E Tamba Ngegba, Sierra Leone deputy High Commissioner – Taxes and Incentives for Investing in Sierra Leone
• Bryan Treherne, MBE,  Chair South London Export Club – Exporting Opportunities & Accessing Finance

The audience demonstrated great appetite for trade and investment on import and export entrepreneurship and seemed interested in gaining adequate knowledge and accessibility to global opportunities for start up or sustainable businesses.