His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Dr Julius Maada Bio held a session of official talks at the Amiri Diwan on Sunday.
During the talks, they reviewed bilateral relations and the ways of supporting and developing them in various fields, particularly in investment, economy, tourism and education spheres. They also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common interest.
After the session, HH the Amir and the Sierra Leonean president witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries in various fields.
They witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the legal field between the ministries of justice in the two countries, a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of tourism and business events, an agreement on mutual administrative assistance for the optimal implementation of customs law to investigate and combat customs violations between the two countries, an agreement on regulating the employment of Sierra Leonean workers in Qatar and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of education, higher education and scientific research between the two countries, in addition to an agreement on the establishment of a joint committee for cooperation between the governments of the two countries.
The session was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chief of Amiri Diwan HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Minister of Municipality HE Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie and Minister of Commerce and Industry HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Thani.
From the Sierra Leone side, the session was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation David J Francis, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Affairs Dr Abu Bakarr Karim, Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Edward Hinga Sandy and Resident Minister in Southern Province Mohamed K Alie.
On this occasion, HH the Amir hosted a luncheon banquet in honour of the Sierra Leonean president and the accompanying delegation. The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone had earlier arrived at the Amiri Diwan, where he was accorded an official reception ceremony.