Sierra Leone’s Business Climate Sierra Leone, a country in the West Africa sub-region is experiencing a surge in business but the surge has to some extent brought untold suffering to the consumer. This is simply because the average Sierra Leonean still finds it difficult to live a comfortable life. The salary structure invariably remains the same while the price of basic commodities keeps sky rocketing. The business community made up of mostly other nationals is caught between the web of trying to amass profit and as well comply with the inflated National Revenue Authority (NRA) tax demands. This demand, according to importers, is killing the business climate in the country thereby underming the real peace. So when the Importers Association decided to close down their shops on Wednesday 16th July 2014, it was in demonstration of their anger on the attitudes of those stakeholders who should know better. The society is made up of a group of people who believe they are the best and should dictate to others. Otherwise did not the importers raise their concerns long time ago and as well held several meetings with these stakeholders. Did they only also issue an ultimatum and made their concerns widely known to the Minister of Trade and Transport before embarking on their action? So, for the police to describe the importers as hoodlums are most unfortunate and uncalled for. This country should grow above the mere use of strong words against notable people in society and for such a word to come from the police is most unfortunate. Whichever way one looks at these people, they control the economy of the country. Government depends on them to raise revenue. When people take to the streets, it is because authorities have failed in all efforts to address their concerns and for anyone to describe them as a lawless group of people when actually they are not disturbing is most unfortunate. The best thing to do is to call them to a round table discussion and find a way out of the problem because just a single day of closure of business will lead to government losing much needed revenue. The situation caused a lot of embarrassment mostly for those business people from the interior that had come to shop. Most of them had to spend an extra day if they are to transact business and return to their various destinations. President Koroma’s government is doing all within its reach to ensure a business friendly atmosphere which is a prerequisite for a booming economy but this drive continues to receive a whole lot of challenges. This only tells that for a country to become truly a middle level economy it must contend with a lot of challenges. This cannot be achieved if stakeholders do not put hands together so that Sierra Leone can attain the status of a middle level income economy. So any situation that wants to stand in Sierra Leone‘s road to progress should be quickly addressed. No country can attain economic recovery if it cannot rise above petty squabbles and put in the right mechanisms. Sierra Leone‘s future is bright if only the right measures are put in place. The country still has one of the least costs of living in the sub-region but the problem is how to generate money amidst trying times. This country‘s future is bright as it stands on a solid foundation ready to take off. The bench marks are clearly visible to drive this country to the status of a solid economy. By NCTN
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 07:31:07 +0000
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