Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma called on Vietnam to step up multi-faceted cooperation with his country, focusing on agriculture, fishery and mining. 

Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma (in white) and Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria and Sierra Leone Pham Anh Tuan  (2nd, left)

At a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to Nigeria and Sierra Leone Pham Anh Tuan who presented his credentials in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on October 6, President Koroma expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s development.

Vietnam has emerged from being one of the world’s poorest nations after war to become a middle-income earner, he said. 

Ambassador Tuan briefed his host on Vietnam’s domestic situation and foreign relations, and noted his wish to contribute to strengthening all-round cooperation, especially in trade, investment, and multi-lateral collaboration. 

He agreed with President Koroma that cooperation should be focused on areas of the two sides’ strengths like agriculture, fishery and mining. 

Earlier, Ambassador Tuan visited Sierra Leone Foreign Minister Samara Karama, during which he suggested the two countries enhance relations in issues of shared concern and for mutual benefits at international forums.

He used the occasion to appeal to Sierra Leone to soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy.

The diplomat also had a working session with Sierra Leone Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security Monty Jones, where he called on Sierra Leone to materialise agreements it has reached with Vietnam in agriculture and rice trading. 

At a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Sierra Leone, the ambassador said he hope that the Vietnamese Association in Sierra Leone will be established soon to contribute to enhancing economic ties and people-to-people exchange between the two countries. 

VNA