VZCZCXRO7317
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0058/01 0241746
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241746Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0710
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUCPCIM/CIMS NTDB WASHDC
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 FREETOWN 000058 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EB/IFD/OIA - JNHATCHER, AF/EPS AND AF/W 
STATE PLS PASS USTR, OPIC, USDOC AND MCC 
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EINV KTBD OPIC EFIN USTR ETRD SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE: 2007 INVESTMENT CLIMATE REPORT 
 
Openness to Foreign Investment 
------------------------------ 
 
¶1. The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) Ministry of Trade and 
Industry is actively working to increase trade and investment. 
 
¶2. Investment Laws:  A new Investment Code went into effect in 2005. 
 It is designed to put Sierra Leone at par with western countries 
concerning the protection of companies.  The Ministries of Trade and 
Industry, the Finance Ministry, and others are working on an annex 
to the code, which will detail the specific investment incentives to 
be offered in specific sectors. 
 
¶3. The GoSL is working to develop the industrial base in order to 
help develop the country and create jobs.  Sierra Leone is starting 
from a low level.  Officials point especially to the need for 
foreign investment and value added activity in a number of sectors, 
but they highlight agricultural production and processing and 
fisheries production and processing. 
 
¶4. The sanctity of contracts is upheld in law.  In practice, the 
judicial system is slow and inefficient and is widely reported to be 
corrupt.  The UK Government is undertaking a multi-million dollar 
judicial reform program. 
 
¶5. There are no laws or regulations restricting remittances or 
repatriation of profits.  Outflows are largely for physical capital 
expenditures and to make payments abroad for things like school 
fees.  Outflows of wealth from Sierra Leone are dominated by the 
export of diamonds and other minerals, not financial flows. 
 
¶6. There is no industrial policy that discriminates against 
foreigners nor are there sectors where there are limits or 
prohibitions on foreign investment or the denial of national 
treatment.  Sierra Leonean authorities do not screen investments. 
 
¶7. Late in 2005, the parliament passed an Anti-Money Laundering Law 
aimed at regularizing and controlling capital inflows so as to help 
protect against efforts to destabilize the country or to meddle in 
politics or political party affairs.  In putting the law into 
effect, the GoSL underscored its desire for "the right kinds of 
investment."  The law allows the importation of $10,000 in cash. 
Amounts beyond that must be transferred through the banking system 
to insure transparency and to make sure that there is a paper trail. 
 Several foreigners have been stopped at the Freetown airport with 
large amounts of cash, in one case $500,000.  The police temporarily 
confiscated the amount beyond $10,000 and asked the carrier to 
arrange for its placement in normal banking channels. 
 
¶8. Acquiring Land:  There are two types of land tenure inherited 
from colonial times.  Colonial Land is a freehold system existing in 
Freetown and the Western Area.  Customary Land is a leasehold 
system, which prevails throughout the rest of the country.  There is 
no land titling system to validate property rights.  Because it can 
be difficult to verify ownership, land is often sold or leased 
illegally, thus restricting and complicating investment. 
Furthermore, foreigners cannot own land under either system but can 
lease land up to 99 years. 
 
¶9. Sierra Leonean citizens can acquire private land (in Freetown and 
the Western Area only) in a fairly straightforward fashion.  State 
lands can be obtained from the State Lands Committee and the 
Ministry of Lands via a bureaucratic process that typically takes 
65-70 business days.  Under the Customary Land system, an investor 
can lease land by entering into a "joint venture" for economic 
purposes with the local paramount chief who controls the land in his 
district.  This system is designed to protect the livelihood of 
indigenous traditional users of the land - householders, subsistence 
farmers, herders, and small producers. 
 
¶10. Mortgages exist but since there is only a small stock of modern 
housing and other buildings, the real estate market is minimally 
active and mortgages are not common.  When they exist, mortgages can 
carry long terms, but are more commonly of short duration and high 
interest.  Short-term bank loans for new construction are more 
common. 
 
¶11. Privatization:  In its privatization program of 24 publicly 
owned enterprises, the GoSL is looking for investors, especially 
foreign investors, who will bring significant capital, but also 
know-how on how to improve the productive and financial performance 
of the company to be privatized.  Foreign investors are invited to 
participate in every stage of the privatization process.  However, 
the GoSL wants to avoid asset stripping, especially in the banking 
sector, which has attracted the most international investor 
attention.  The privatization of Rokel Bank, for example, was halted 
 
FREETOWN 00000058  002 OF 007 
 
 
in early 2005 after the Government determined that potential 
investors were "not serious."  The Government also came under 
considerable pressure from Sierra Leonean shareholders to not 
privatize. Rokel is reportedly now not open to foreign investors. 
The bank may end up being privatized through a buy-out (probably 
partial) by the national social security system, NASSIT, which has 
expanded rapidly. 
 
¶12. Visas:  US citizens must have a visa to enter Sierra Leone, 
obtainable from the Sierra Leonean embassy in Washington or at other 
Sierra Leonean embassies.  Airport visas are available but cost $100 
and are not issued quicQy.  Foreign investors must have a 
self-employment/work permit from the Ministry of Labor, which takes 
six weeks to four months or longer to obtain and costs $85.  A 
foreigner also must have a residence permit that can be obtained in 
a few days, but often takes longer.  There is an application fee of 
$100 and the permit costs $1,000 for entrepreneurs and $1,660 for 
employees. 
 
¶13. Registry and Licenses:  Companies have to register but private 
investors generally do not consider the business registration 
process as a major impediment to investing.  Registration takes 2-4 
weeks and costs about $200 plus legal fees that range from 
$400-$5,000, making registration among the most costly in the world, 
according to recent research.  There is a shortage of reliable 
information on procedures and fees and there are bothersome 
redundancies.  The high cost of business registration combined with 
lax enforcement results in a high rate of non-compliance and 
contributes to flourishing informal economic activity. 
 
¶14.  There are also three types of mandatory business licenses: 
general licenses for every business, special activity licenses for 
executing certain activities (hotel, supermarket, restaurant, 
factories, construction), and licenses for specific sectors like 
tourism, telecommunications, and mining. 
 
¶15. Mining and Fisheries:  The mining sector is open to foreign 
investors.  The cost of mining licenses depends on the type of 
activity and citizenship.  Non-exclusive prospecting licenses are 
$10-50 per square mile.  Exclusive prospecting license $50-200 per 
square mile, depending on the mineral.  Exploration licenses are 
$100-400 per square mile for three years.  Mine leases are for a 
maximum of 25 years (renewable for 15 added years) and cost 
$500-5,000 per square mile, depending on the mineral. 
 
¶16. For mining investment over $100 million the conditions, fees, 
and taxes can be negotiated with the Minster of Mineral Resources on 
behalf of the Government. 
 
¶17. Some other important fees in the mining sector are as follows: 
Alluvial Diamond Exporters license: $40,000/year ($25,000 half 
year). 
Alluvial Diamond Exporter Agent's certificate: $5,000/year ($3,000 
half year). 
Alluvial Diamond Dealer's license: Non-Citizen $5,000/year ($3,000 
half year). 
Gold Exporter's license: $3,000 per year. 
Gold Exporter Agent's certificate: $ 1,000/year. 
Gold Dealers license: Non-Citizens $1000/year. 
Gold Mining Company Manager Certificate: Non-Citizen $167/year. 
 
¶18. In fisheries, vessels must be registered and a fishing license 
obtained.  Obtaining an industrial fishing license requires an 
offshore account in Sierra Leone and the operator must employ 45% 
Sierra Leoneans as crew members.  The licensing process is speedy 
after the vessel is inspected. 
 
¶19. The following license fees pertain.  For vessels over 250 tons, 
a shrimp license costs $60,000 for a year plus royalties of $18,000 
per vessel.  Fish trawlers over 250 tons pay $40,000 per year with 
royalties of $15,000.  Tuna purse seiners pay $18,000 per year; tuna 
long liners pay $12,000 per year; and purse seiners for small 
pelagics pay $15,000 per year.  Fish processing ships pay $20,000 
per year. 
 
¶20. Impact of policies and economic trends on FDI:  With the end of 
the war in January 2002, massive infusions of outside assistance 
helped Sierra Leone to recover and rebuild.  GDP growth rates 
immediately rose to six percent and higher as agriculture recovered, 
legal diamond production and exports grew, manufacturing showed 
modest gains, and construction expanded. 
 
¶21.  FDI inflows reached $32.5 million in 1990 before the outbreak 
of the violent civil strife in 1991, and then declined rapidly for a 
decade.  FDI spiked again in 2000 at $39 million.  It declined again 
in subsequent years, coming back up in recent years but to only $5 
 
FREETOWN 00000058  003 OF 007 
 
 
million in 2004.  The latter figure does not include, however, more 
recent large investments in rutile and bauxite mining or the $6 
million in new milling equipment the U.S.-owned flour mill installed 
in the past year. 
 
¶22.  Important impediments to foreign investment remain.  There is a 
shortage of skilled workers and professionals.  Many judges, 
lawyers, doctors, civil servants, engineers, and other professionals 
left the country and those who remain often lack the means to carry 
on their duties properly.  Corruption is a problem and the 
independent Anti-Corruption Commission created in 2000 has yet to 
have a large impact on the higher levels. 
 
¶23. Sierra Leone's trade policies are relatively open and non-tariff 
barriers have been eliminated.  Tariff rates are converging with 
those of its neighboring ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African 
States) and WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union - CFA 
Franc zone) countries.  Import and export licenses have been 
abolished for all but a small number of products.  However, 
importing and exporting problems have less to do with policy than 
with practice.  Customs clearance is slow, cumbersome, costly, and 
opaque.  The average 14 days for import clearance is among the 
world's worst.  All goods are subject to lengthy and complicated 
customs procedures, although the GoSL is reportedly considering 
reducing its customs registration and documentation requirements. 
Tariff schedules are not always transparent which allows arbitrary 
assessments that can be challenged only with difficulty as appeals 
processes are ill defined and lengthy.  Sierra Leone continues to 
use the Brussels Declaration of Value, as it has not yet adopted the 
WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation. Sierra Leone uses minimum or 
reference values for rice, flour, sugar, cement, used clothing, and 
clothing accessories and not having adopted the WTO Agreement leaves 
customs agents with excessive power and increases the costs of 
imports. 
 
¶24. Improved economic conditions since the civil war ended in 
January 2002 along with greater political stability and a more 
forward-looking government policy have led to some new foreign 
investment.  The telecommunications sector has seen rapid expansion 
in mobile telephones.  In banking, Malaysian investors have opened 
the International Commercial Bank and Nigerians investors have 
opened the First International Nigerian Bank and Guaranteed Trust. 
Standard Bank closed during the war but has reopened.  The Ecobank 
Group has also opened a branch in Freetown. 
 
¶25.  Mining has expanded greatly with increased legal diamond 
exports conforming to the Kimberley Process.  The reinvestment in 
rutile and bauxite mining in the southwestern part of the country 
will put Sierra Leone again among the world's top producers.  OPIC 
provided a $25 million investment guarantee for Sierra Rutile and 
the European Union provided $12 million in start up capital.  There 
are also large iron ore deposits, but it is not yet clear whether 
they can be economically exploited. 
 
¶26. With the aid of the World Bank and key international donors, the 
GoSL developed its Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper (PRSP).  It is 
putting its PRSP plan into effect and international donors -- the 
World Bank, UK, US, EU, and other donors -- are assisting. 
 
¶27. On December 15, 2006, the IMF Executive Board found that Sierra 
Leone had achieved completion under the Heavily Indebted Poor (HIPC) 
initiative and will provide debt relief in line with the HIPC 
framework.  The PRSP's three pillars are good governance, security 
and peace; pro-poor, sustainable economic growth, food security, and 
job creation; and human resource development.  International donors 
are contributing several hundred million dollars to turn these 
programs into realities.  This simultaneously will clarify and 
strengthen the investment climate. 
 
Conversion and Transfer Policies 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶28. There are no restrictions on converting or transferring funds 
associated with an investment.  Investors can withdraw and remit any 
amount from a commercial bank and have it transferred into any 
freely convertible currency and at legal market clearing rates. 
Sierra Leonean banks are well connected with the international 
banking network.  There are no plans to change remittance policies. 
 
 
¶29. Sierra Leone has a floating exchange rate.  The Leone 
fluctuates, but overall has depreciated slowly over recent years, 
mainly due to demand for financing current consumption, especially 
of imported petroleum products, and for national reconstruction. 
 
¶30. Estimated exports in 2005 (Economists Intelligence Unit - EIU) 
 
FREETOWN 00000058  004 OF 007 
 
 
were $200 million while imports were $330 million.  Diamond exports 
increases from an estimated $126 million in 2003, to $158 million in 
2004, and $230 million in 2005 (EIU).  The current account balance 
was a negative $105 million, or about eight percent of GDP. 
 
¶31. There are no legal restrictions on obtaining foreign exchange. 
The Central Bank conducts frequent foreign exchange auctions, 
typically on a weekly basis, but limits a single bidder to $100,000. 
 The auctions are far from sufficient to meet the needs of 
importers.  Additional foreign exchange is available through the 
banking system, but banks will provide cash only to customers who 
have deposited cash.  Customers who have deposited transfers can 
obtain only transfers. 
 
¶32. The new Investment Code guarantees foreign investors the right 
to repatriate earnings and the proceeds of sales of assets, and also 
allows expatriate employees to repatriate earnings. 
 
Expropriation and Compensation 
------------------------------ 
 
¶33. There is no history of expropriations in Sierra Leone. 
 
Dispute Settlement 
------------------ 
 
¶34. Sierra Leone adopted the UK's legal system and common law 
system.  The traditional and Islamic Law systems employed decide 
many personal property and inheritance issues outside the capital of 
Freetown.  The legal system inherited from the UK protects property 
and contract rights in the modern sector and there have been few 
notable issues with property or contract rights affecting US 
investors.  Investors have access to the judicial system, but the 
system is slow and is widely reported to be subject to financial and 
political influence.  Arbitration clauses in contracts and foreign 
judgments are respected.  Officials point to arbitration and 
judicial findings in Europe against the Government with which it 
complied. 
 
¶35. The Law Reform Commission is considering a new Commercial Law, 
but its progress has been slow on this and other matters. 
 
¶36. Sierra Leone is a party to the Convention on Settlement of 
Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of Other States 
(The Washington Convention), which it ratified and put into force in 
October 1966. 
 
¶37. An important U.S. investor has claimed repeatedly that its 
competitors are routinely allowed to undervalue its imports, thus 
paying less in duties and underselling the U.S. firm.  The 
investor's complaint has gone unresolved for several years.  Other 
investors complain that undervaluing goods bound for retail is 
necessary to reduce what many believe are exorbitant customs 
duties. 
 
Performance Requirements and Incentives 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶38. The GoSL has established no performance requirements prescribing 
mandatory percentages of exports, domestic content, required 
domestic inputs, the transfer of technology or proprietary 
knowledge, or limiting access to foreign exchange. 
 
¶39. The annex to the Investment Code law will define the investment 
incentives to be offered and in various sectors but has not yet been 
released.  Key areas for incentives include agro-processing and 
value-added activity in fisheries.  Both sectors represent important 
potential in Sierra Leone. 
 
¶40. No performance requirements are in place to require maintenance 
or expansion of a foreign investment.  There are likewise no 
requirements that nationals own shares that the share of foreign 
equity is reduced over time, or that technology is transferred under 
certain terms.  There are no "offset" requirements. 
 
Right to Private Ownership and Establishment 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶41. Foreign and domestic entities have the right to establish and 
own business enterprises and engage in all sorts of remunerative 
activities.  Foreigners are free to acquire and dispose of interests 
in business enterprises. 
 
Protection of Property Rights 
----------------------------- 
 
 
FREETOWN 00000058  005 OF 007 
 
 
¶42. Mortgages exist but are not common as property rights are 
difficult to secure, given the complexities of the land tenure 
system.  Officially there is complete and open access to the court 
system if an individual or enterprises thinks its interests to be 
compromised, but judicial practice is widely reported to be open to 
political or financial influence. 
 
¶43. The GoSL is taking steps to develop policy and laws that will 
bring it into compliance with TRIPS.  So far, these measures do not 
include amendments to the copyright law, which is 40 years old.  Per 
WTO agreements, Sierra Leone had until 2006 to fully implement TRIPS 
but extensions were recently granted to all Least Developed 
Countries until July 1, 2013. 
 
¶44. Popular music and films are illegally copied and sold on a 
substantial scale.  While some recorded American music and films are 
affected, this practice mostly affects local and regional music and 
Nigerian films. 
 
Transparency of Regulatory System 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶45. Red tape and excessive delays are problematic.  Sierra Leone in 
the bottom quintile of the World Bank "Doing Business" ranking, on 
par with most of the other countries in West Africa.  The World Bank 
ranking cites licenses, hiring and firing workers, registering 
property, and enforcing contracts as problems. 
 
¶46. The GoSL recognizes the need for greater regulatory clarity and 
efficiency.  The Law Reform Commission is working in that direction, 
but once updated laws are promulgated, the Government often is slow 
to develop the administrative rules for their application. 
 
¶47. One notable effort to improve clarity is the Government's 
establishment of a "one stop center" where investors can obtain all 
required permits and licenses.  The Sierra Leone Export Development 
and Investment Corporation (SLEDIC) is to incorporate the one stop 
center and is in the process of reorganization to better serve its 
customers. 
 
¶48. The Government does not use taxes or labor, environmental or 
other standards to inhibit foreign investment. 
 
Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶49. The commercial banking sector is sound.  Citizens and foreigners 
have access to credit under the same market terms, although interest 
rates usually exceed 30%.  Because of the Government's feeble tax 
revenue generation, the Central Bank holds frequent (generally 
weekly) bond auctions.  The Government's bonds pay about 25 percent 
thus crowding out credit flows to production or factor markets. 
 
¶50. As a rule, banks do not invest in equity projects.  The land 
tenure system makes it difficult for a lender to identify the true 
owner of a property and makes most property useless as loan 
collateral.  An inefficient judicial system and the lack of 
bankruptcy laws make it very difficult for a lender to recover 
collateral in the event of a default. 
 
¶51. Credit is rarely a problem for foreign investors as they 
typically bring in capital from outside the country and have 
well-established banking relationships that enable them to obtain 
working and trading capital. 
 
¶52. As of November 2005, the Bank of Sierra Leone (national bank) 
estimated the assets of the largest banks as follows: 
Rokel Commercial Bank: $52 million. 
Sierra Leone Commercial Bank: $67 million. 
Standard Chartered Bank: $53 million. 
Total assets of the banking sector: $173 million. 
 
¶53. There is no evidence of cross-shareholding and stable 
shareholder arrangements in Sierra Leone. 
 
Political Violence 
------------------ 
 
¶54. There have been no incidents in recent years of politically 
motivated damage to projects or installations.  During the 
widespread violence that occurred from 1991 to 2002, mining 
installations and a great deal of physical infrastructure was 
destroyed.  After the war ended in January 2002, a successful 
demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) program 
followed and a large UN peacekeeping mission guaranteed security. 
The UN peacekeepers departed in December 2005 and security 
 
FREETOWN 00000058  006 OF 007 
 
 
responsibilities are in the hands of the Sierra Leonean army and 
police, which the UK government has done much to train and equip. 
The UN retains a robust development mission in Sierra Leone. 
Although Sierra Leone is a "fragile state," the country is calm so 
insurance costs and risk premiums should not reflect the earlier 
realities of the 1990s. 
 
¶55. There are no nascent insurrections or belligerent neighbors 
aiming to destabilize Sierra Leone.  Political instability in Guinea 
and Liberia has not had much effect on Sierra Leone.  In the run up 
to presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for July 28, 
2007, political parties are competing for voter attention.  There is 
the potential for political rallies to snarl traffic and damage 
property.  With extensive UK training and new equipment, the Sierra 
Leone Police have increased capacity to handle such events. 
 
Corruption 
---------- 
 
¶56. International companies identify corruption as an obstacle to 
investment, ranking Sierra Leone near other West Africa countries 
for corruption.  Bribes, kickbacks, extortion, and skimming on 
contracts and payments are common forms of corruption. 
 
¶57. Sierra Leone signed the UN Convention Against Corruption in 
December 2003 and ratified it in September 2004.  The GoSL 
established the independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 
¶2000.  It is charged with investigating cases and educating the 
public to reduced corruption in its many forms.  Per the 
Anti-Corruption Act, giving or accepting a bribe is a criminal 
offense that carries a penalty of two years imprisonment or $340 (Le 
1,000,000), or both. 
 
¶58. The ACC has investigated and brought cases against several low- 
to mid-level public servants.  To date, the only high-level official 
convicted on corruption charges had his case overturned on appeal. 
In general, the ACC has yet to be very successful in halting 
corruption.  In late 2005, it came under parliamentary criticism 
after the Commissioner criticized certain members of the legislature 
and was subsequently dismissed.  His replacement has yet to move 
aggressively against corruption.  The judicial system, which must 
try the cases the ACC develops, is inefficient and itself widely 
believed to be corrupt. 
 
¶59. The Anti-Corruption Act is not used disproportionately against 
foreigners. 
 
¶60. Transparency International's 2005 "Corruption Perception Index" 
ranked Sierra Leone 124th of 159 countries (tied with Russia). 
Sierra Leone is thus on par with many other countries is Africa and 
Asia.  In Sierra Leone, TI operates the National Accountability 
Group (NAG), an important local NGO.  The Campaign for Good 
Governance is another local watchdog organization. 
 
Bilateral Investment Agreements 
------------------------------- 
 
¶61. Sierra Leone does not have a bilateral investment treaty or 
taxation treaty with the U.S. 
 
OPIC and Other Investment Insurance Programs 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶62. OPIC offered a $25 million investment guarantee to Sierra Rutile 
for the restart and expansion of its mineral sands mine in 
southwestern Sierra Leone.  The company is also exploiting nearby 
substantial bauxite deposits.  The European Union provided $12 
million in start up funding.  Phase one will generate about 110,000 
tons of rutile (titanium oxide), which is an important ingredient in 
paints, paper, and plastics.  Before violent civil strife destroyed 
the mine's equipment in the 1990s, Sierra Leone was the world's 
largest rutile producer. 
 
¶63. Sierra Leone is a member of the Multilateral Investment 
Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank. 
 
Labor 
----- 
 
¶64. Sierra Leone suffers from a shortage of educated and skilled 
workers and professionals.  Brain drain to Europe and North America 
has been a significant drag on the economy for some years. 
 
¶65. Formal sector employment is largely governed by collective 
bargaining agreements between employers and unions.  Such agreements 
cover various sectors:  tourism, commerce, petroleum, manufacturing, 
 
FREETOWN 00000058  007 OF 007 
 
 
media, entertainment, financial services, general services, and 
public utilities.  The statutory minimum monthly salary is $15, but 
under the collective agreements, the minimum throughout the formal 
sector is $24.  The minimum figure goes up with qualifications so 
that a machine operator in manufacturing must be paid a minimum of 
$43, rising to $55 for a senior operator. 
 
¶66. The workweek is 40 hours with two consecutive days off 
mandatory.  Work beyond 40 hours is paid at 50% overtime and 
required work on rest days is 100% overtime. 
 
¶67. Companies can find an employee redundant for commercial or 
financial reasons after trying and failing to find alternative 
employment, in consultation with the union.  The employer can 
discharge workers only on the basis of seniority, with more junior 
workers being dismissed first.  Employers must give two months 
notice and pay redundancy compensation according to a steeply rising 
schedule.  For example, the employer must pay a worker with 14 years 
seniority more than two years salary as compensation while the 
employer owes twenty-year employee more than three and a half years 
salary as compensation. 
 
¶68. Workers can be dismissed for incompetence, inefficiency, 
violation of rules, or serious offenses in a reasonably 
straightforward manner.  After two written warnings an employee can 
be dismissed without compensation.  There is an appeals process via 
employer-union consultations and possible intervention by the 
Commissioner of Labor.  The Industrial Court hears dismissal cases 
and other disputes and heard 170 cases between 2000-2003. 
 
¶69. Contributions to the national pension plan, NASSIT, are 
mandatory.  The employer pays 10 percent of the worker's salary and 
the worker contributes five percent.) 
 
Foreign Trade Zones/Free Trade Zones 
------------------------------ 
 
¶70. Sierra Leone does not operate a duty free zone, but plans are 
under way to establish an export-processing zone with duty free 
status for re-exports. 
 
¶71. The GoSL and Chinese company Henan Guoji Group are working under 
a joint venture to develop an industrial and trade zone.  The GoSL 
is providing the land and existing buildings (the old National 
Workshop facility long slated to be privatized) and preferential 
conditions, while the Chinese company is supplying capital, 
know-how, and some workers. 
 
Foreign Direct Investment Statistics 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶72. According to 2005 UN figures (UNCTAD World Investment Report, 
2005) Sierra Leone attracted $5 million in direct foreign investment 
in 2004.  That figure was up from $2 million in 2002, but does not 
reflect the large new investment in Sierra Rutile. 
HULL