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Sierra Leone: Building on a sector-led export economy by Kenday S. Kamara October 4, 2008

development of the export sector has become one of the most debated issues in policy development in Sierra Leone. The previous government of Tejan Kabbah has presented some credible initiatives to promote the export trade of Sierra Leone should be emphasized. The investment code was adopted in 2004 could actually increase visibility for the progress of Sierra Leone to create an environment conducive to investment and poverty reduction if properly used. Empowering SLEDIC (Sierra Leone Export Development and Investment Corporation) as a "one-stop-shop" parastatal that simplifies business registration and reduced transaction costs was also of strategic importance. But years of mismanagement of opportunities stifled the implementation of these initiatives. Today, however, there is reason to believe that involvement in the implementation of initiatives for development of the export sector of the administration headed by Ernest Koroma APC can change.

Vast tracts of arable land and abundant mineral resources provide a natural comparative advantage for agricultural development and technology in Sierra Leone. The commitment to the right, in other words, can greatly square objective of President Koroma to make the work of the government of Sierra Leone.

The prognosis of the policy of Sierra Leone has been frustratingly self-destructive dark for decades. The country has suffered decades of severe economic difficulties and faced with chronic problems of corruption and management system broken at national proportions. The gross domestic product (GDP) has not looked good for decades and the country has always ranked very low in the United Nations assessment of development indices of man's country. It might make sense for the new administration of APC to be serious about government commitment to a generous program of national development, and expect the best out of Sierra Leone. But the commitment to change the prognosis of widespread systematic mismanagement of resources can also be much brighter now than it has been since the PCA is a second chance, and President Koroma in the height of the high level expectations of Sierra Leoneans have for his government. Apparently, Sierra Leoneans have lost all patience and all they want to see is a government that can rely on a model of positive change for sustainable development.

The duration of one year Koroma was in power led to significant changes in the underlying strategic calculation facing the governance of Sierra Leone - an ACC made stronger, emphasis on performance and accountability financial reporting in the public service, and creating new more positive development dynamics and incentives. And these developments can be sustainable with the vast potential in agricultural development and technology. Insisting on excellence in public service and focus initiatives in the sector's export development developed in the framework of trade agreements and WTO trade rules that apply to international trade work under the new conditions in Sierra Leone. President Koroma has demonstrated commendable willingness to "bring together public and private sectors for well-ordered society and economic progress", a position clearly at a private sector forum at the British Council, which convened State House, in association with companies in Sierra Leone Forum. However, the commendable efforts of the President will require a sustained commitment in support of a liberalized trading system to promote trade and diversify exports.

Both to build on the initiatives for the export sector development started by Kabbah and introduce a new dynamic, any commitment to good governance, now that the mechanisms of democracy are in place, should be reassured and taken seriously.

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