By: Precious Miracle Kargbo
Dr. Ali Bin Sammikh Marri, the Minister of Labor for the State of Qatar, paid a courtesy visit to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown. The visit aimed to reaffirm Qatar’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of labor and employment.
Dr. Marri was introduced by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labor and Employment, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray, who highlighted the significance of the visit.
“Your Excellency, I am pleased to introduce my counterpart, the Minister of Labor from Qatar, who is here to engage with us on strategic collaboration and deepen the ties between our two ministries,” Minister Swaray stated.
Expressing his appreciation for the warm reception, Dr. Marri reflected on his personal connection to Sierra Leone.
“It is a pleasure to be in Sierra Leone,” he said. “Over 30 years ago, I wrote an academic paper on Sierra Leone as a student. Today, I am here in person, as Qatar’s Minister of Labor, to explore cooperation on labor market policies.”
Dr. Marri also extended congratulations from the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on President Bio’s recent election as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“We appreciate your hospitality and look forward to strengthening our bilateral ties,” he noted.
President Bio welcomed the visit and acknowledged the Emir’s message, noting the symbolic significance of Dr. Marri’s academic interest in Sierra Leone evolving into official diplomatic engagement.
“We have had a growing relationship with Qatar and look forward to expanding cooperation, especially in agriculture, education, and the digital economy,” President Bio emphasized.
He also highlighted his role as ECOWAS Chair as an opportunity to promote broader labor collaborations across the West African region.
“It is an exciting moment to lead ECOWAS, and I see it as a chance to further engage the international community on shared priorities for West Africa,” he concluded.
This high-level visit marks a significant step toward strengthening bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and Qatar. It sets the foundation for future collaborative efforts in labor, economic development, and regional cooperation paving the way for mutual growth and advancement.
