The New Chinese Counselor Mr. Peng Wang pays courtesy Call to the Minister of Employment Labour and Social Security Hon. Mohamed Rahman Swarray.

During a courtesy visit of the Chinese Counselor to the Minister of Employment Labour and Social Security at his New England Ville office, Counselor Wang expressed enthusiasm for continued collaboration, citing a longstanding partnership dating back since his 2006 visit to Sierra Leone for the monitoring and evaluation of Chinese projects. He emphasized that his office role extends beyond economic cooperation but rather also encompassing capacity-building initiatives such as training seminars the embassy has provided for the Ministry last year.

In a significant step towards deepening bilateral relations, the Minister of Employment Labour and Social Security reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Chinese enterprises operating in Sierra Leone while fostering human resource development and cultural exchanges.

The Minister highlighted the importance of Chinese investments in Sierra Leone, noting that Chinese companies are among the largest employers in the country. He welcomed the prospect of a roundtable discussion on labour laws, assuring that his ministry is prepared to collaborate in refining regulations to create a more investor-friendly environment.

Key initiatives include the introduction of a digital work permit system by January next year, aimed at streamlining labour documentation. Additionally, efforts are underway to revitalize the Trade Testing Unit, which validates employee skills.

The Chinese Counselor echoed the sentiment on cultural and people-to-people exchanges, stressing the need for mutual understanding between Chinese employers and Sierra Leonean workers. He referenced the state visit of Sierra Leone’s President to China, which underscored China’s interest in expanding investments in Sierra Leone.

To facilitate this, the Counselor announced plans to reorganize the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone, ensuring better coordination and support for Chinese enterprises. The Minister pledged full support for this initiative, recognizing its potential to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Both parties agreed on the importance of infrastructure projects, skills development programs, and alignment with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. The Minister also assured Chinese investors of business friendly regulations and incentives to secure and expand their operations in Sierra Leone.

With these developments, Sierra Leone and China are poised to strengthen their partnership, fostering economic growth, employment opportunities, and cross-cultural cooperation in the years ahead.