Qatar, Sierra Leone agree to widen ties

*Emir, President Koroma hold talks *A number of agreements, MoUs signed His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani held a session of official talks with Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma at the Emiri Diwan on Monday.At the beginning of the session, the Emir welcomed the president and his accompanying delegation, stressing that the visit will enhance the existing co-operation between the two countries.President Koroma expressed hope that the visit will further develop relations between the two countries to include various fields. He also expressed his sincere thanks to the Emir for the humanitarian, medical and relief assistance provided by Qatar when Sierra Leone was hit by flooding and the outbreak of Ebola epidemic.During the talks, the Emir and the president discussed bilateral relations and the prospects for enhancing them in various fields, especially in economy, trade, agriculture and tourism. They discussed a number of regional and international issues of common concern.The session was attended by a number of ministers.From the Sierra Leone side, it was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the president.Earlier on his arrival at the Emiri Diwan, the president was accorded an official reception. His Highness the Emir and the Sierra Leone President witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding between the two countries.His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani meeting the Sierra Leone delegation at the Emiri Diwan.His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani with the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, at the Emiri Diwan.His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, witness the signing of an agreement between the governments of Qatar and Sierra Leone at the Emiri DiwanThe agreements were on encouraging and protecting mutual investments, on economical, trade and technical co-operation and on air services between the two countries.They also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on co-operating in the cultural field, an MoU between the foreign ministries of both countries on procedures for political consultations on issues of common concern and an MoU on co-operating in youth and sports.The signing ceremony was attended by a number of ministers.From the Sierra Leone side, it was attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the president. The Emir hosted a luncheon banquet at the Emiri Diwan in honour of President Koroma and his accompanying delegation. The banquet was attended by a number of ministers. President Koroma later left Doha at the end of an official visit to Qatar. The Sierra Leone delegation was seen off at Hamad International Airport by HE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada. Qatar, Sierra Leone energy minister meetHE the Minister of Energy and Industry Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada met with the Minister of Energy of Sierra Leone, Henry Olufumi.The meeting was also attended by Sierra Leonetarget="_blank"'>The two sides agreed to exchange information on investment opportunities in energy and mining in Sierra Leone and the possibility of exchanging visits at the technical level in the near future.