Monday, September 7, 2004: A high power eight-man delegation from Malaysia have called on President Kabbah to Discuss issues hinging on agricultural development in Sierra Leone.
The delegation led by the Malaysian Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr. Cheah Choong Kit, are in Sierra Leone on a fact finding mission on agriculture.

Welcoming the delegation, President Kabbah said that he specifically requested for the mission to come because apart from the area of agriculture, he wanted to share other ideas with them. President Kabbah requested the mission to address the issue of processing of the products as a means of adding value to the products. He stressed the need for training as the Ministry is in dire need of capacity building and planning.

President Kabbah opined that there are thousands of young people moving about in the country with no form of employment, while vast of land lay waste uncultivated. If the oil palm industry is developed a lot of these young people will at least have jobs. The President recalled his visit to Malaysia where he observed that nothing is wasted on the palm tree. He particularly mentioned the processing of fertilizers from the waste products of the oil palm stating that this country is wasting a lot of money on the importation of fertilizers.
The President also made an offer to the Malaysians the opportunity to be involved in the off-shore oil exploration if they are interested.

Mr. Cheah Kit thanked the President for his warm reception and assured him that the mission comprises experts on various aspects of agriculture and will identify areas that will be of immense help to the country. in the area of training, The Malaysian Under-Secretary said in the near distant future, they will be inviting some Sierra Leoneans to train in Malaysia. This, he said, will help provide the needed experts to move the private sector forward. He promised to convey his message for the offer of the exploration of oil to their Minister, stating that they are already involved in oil exploration in some parts of Africa.