Director General of the United Nation Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella has called for micro finance investment for youth in the Mano River Union (MRU) countries, especially Sierra Leone. He made this pronouncement on Thursday 8th January 2009 at a press briefing held in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information and Communication, Youyi Building in Freetown.

"For Sierra Leone to develop, it needs a lot of investment," he stated, adding that the expected establishment of the Arab Gulf Programme for UN Development Organization (AGFUND) will help in the direction of youth empowerment in the country. He said it will also help improve small scale businesses. Dr. Yumkella disclosed that AGFUND will soon extend it tentacles in Sierra Leone with the provision of micro finances for business people in a bid to combat the youth unemployment crisis.

On another note, the UNIDO Boss said he shall be touring the organization’s projects in the provinces in a bid to abreast himself with developments and to strategize ways of improving them. He pointed out that sustainable energy generation can fast track meaningful development, adding that no country will develop without energy. He described Africa as one of the most deprived continents in the world in terms of energy.

For his part, Saudi Arabia’s AGFUND Executive Director, Dr. Nasser Al Khatani commended the people and Government of Sierra Leone for the resounding hospitality accorded him. He explained that AGFUND have worked in partnership with all UN organizations which has gained them a lot of experience. He assured that AGFUND will be established in Sierra Leone in the next 6 months.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alimamy P. Koroma assured the AGFUND executive director of government’s commitment to work in partnership with them.