ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) and the government of Sierra Leone have on the 26th May, 2023 launched the Koya Industrial Zone at Mile 36, Koya Chiefdom in Port Loko district.
The agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and Arise IPP geared towards the implementation of a special economic zone in Sierra Leone. Last week, members of parliament debated and ratified the agreement and it is now binding by law.
The event yesterday attracted several key stakeholders including the paramount chief of Koya chiefdom PC Bai Koroma Bomboli III whose brief statement touched around development and the sustainability of the project .
Key Statements were also made by senior government officials including the minister of Trade and Industry Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, the Minister of lands, Housing and Country Planning Dr. Turad Sanesie and President Julius Maada Bio who was the key note speaker. President Bio spoke about the benefits of the project and the need for stakeholders to work in the interest of the country. He stressed his government’s determination to bring more development into the country and provide more employment for citizens.
This special economic zone investment will enhance economic growth, and provide huge employment for the people of Koya chiefdom in Port Loko district.
As part of their investment portfolio, ARISE has a Public, Private, Partnership with the Government of Gabon for the establishment of the Gabon Special Economic Zone, a multi-sectoral industrial park located 27 km from Libreville.
The initiative will brings together 144 companies from 16 countries operating in 22 industrial sectors, including a cluster dedicated to wood processing which brings together 84 companies.
And a replica of such model that ARISE is embarking on in Sierra Leone, to open up the investment market with more opportunities for value addition for export and the domestic value chain.
