Subchapters:
- Market entry
- Forms and conditions of operation on the market
- Marketing and Communications
- Issues of intellectual property protection
- Public procurement market
- Payment terms, payment ethics and resolution of commercial disputes
- Visas, fees, specific conditions of travel to the territory
- Employment of citizens from the Czech Republic
- Fairs and events
Market entry
Establishing a relationship with a local reliable partner (importer, distributor, representative) with good contacts is a basic condition for successful business. As with other African states, the personal participation of potential investors in the country is naturally assumed. No local law governs agency agreements. Consumer goods are mostly imported and distributed by wholesalers (Lebanese). Importers of luxury goods usually buy and import goods directly from the manufacturer. http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/sectors-sierra_leone/business/. Sierra Leone does not currently have a private credit bureau, but the government, through the Central Bank of Sierra Leone, has established a Credit Reference Bureau unit that can assist with the screening of a potential partner. If a consulting partner is needed for market entry, the following company can be used: Frontier ResearchS/Leone: 14 Lumley Beach Road, Freetown. Phone: +232 (0) 76 792 825 http://fr-africa.com/Email: info@fr-africa.com
Forms and conditions of operation on the market
Foreign investors have equal conditions when starting a business. There are no minimum capital requirements or equity restrictions. In some industries, such as mining and fishing, it is necessary to obtain licenses from the departments. Check smber for agriculture and fishing facts of Sierra Leone.
Marketing and communication
Advertisements in daily newspapers have limited reach due to low literacy and circulation: The Voice of BinkongohAwoko Newspaper
Advertising on radio and television has the greatest impact: SLBC TVAYV TVSLBC RadioCapital Radio
Marketing research can be provided by e.g.: Elixir Marketing and Media – www.elixirgroupsl.com
The following can be used for promotion: SL Promotions & Solutions – elixirgroup
Issues of intellectual property protection
The government of Sierra Leone is dealing with the basic existential problems of the population, the protection of intellectual property is not among its priorities, and progress is limited due to limited financial, personnel and institutional capacities. The share of plagiarism (of Asian origin) on the market is growing rapidly. The Office of the Administrator and Secretary General of Sierra Leone registers and administers intellectual property in Sierra Leone. The registration of trade marks and patents is governed by the Trade Marks Act, Cap. 244 of the Laws of Sierra Leone 1960, the Patent Act, No. 247 of the Laws of Sierra Leone and the Protection of Industrial Designs Act of the United Kingdom (Cap. 246 of the Laws of Sierra Leone). In 2012, the country’s parliament passed the Patents and Industrial Designs Act 2012, which protects the intellectual property and patents of innovators and inventors. There is also the Trade Marks Act 2014, which regulates trademarks in the country. Sierra Leone has been a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since its inception. This obliges Sierra Leone to implement international intellectual property standards and the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Sierra Leone is also a member of the joint intellectual property (IP) organization for English-speaking Africa, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).
Public procurement market
Government contracts are announced in the media and are subject to a tender process under the supervision of a special office (Procurement Agency).
International tendering procedures: The contracting authority uses an international tendering procedure (INC) if the estimated amount of the contract is higher than the value indicated below: In the case of contracts for the supply of goods in the value of 75,000 USD in the case of contracts for the supply of works in the value of 115,000 USD In the case of contracts for the supply of services in the value of 75,000 USD. The call for tenders must be published in a newspaper of wide international circulation, in an appropriate trade publication or in a trade journal of wide international circulation. There are no special restrictions.
National Tender : The call for tenders or call for pre-qualification will be published in the Gazette, national print media of wide circulation and electronic media. In procurement procedures where the procuring entity determines that only domestic suppliers or contractors are likely to be interested in submitting bids, the procuring entity may use national tendering procedures. The procuring entity uses international tendering (NNC) if the estimated value of the contract is lower than the value indicated below: In the case of contracts for the supply of goods valued at USD 75,000. In the case of contracts for the supply of works in the value of USD 115,000 In the case of contracts for the supply of services in the value of USD 75,000
Limited Tender: Call for tenders or invitation for pre-qualification will be published in the Gazette, national print media of wide circulation and electronic media. Subject to the approval of the Procurement Committee, limited tendering is carried out in the following cases: when the goods, works or services are available only from a limited number of bidders; if the time and cost of evaluating a large number of tenders is disproportionate to the estimated value of the tender. If this is the case referred to in letter a), all known suppliers capable of supplying goods, construction works or services will be invited to submit bids. If it was a case according to letter b), the procuring entity will request offers, if possible, from a minimum number of five bidders.
Call for one applicant: Sole sourcing procurement is permitted only in the following circumstances: when a single supplier has the exclusive right to produce the goods, perform the works or perform the services to be purchased and no suitable alternative is available; for additional supplies of goods by the original supplier, which are intended either as a replacement for existing goods, services or equipment, or as an extension of existing products, services or equipment, if a change of supplier would force the procurer to procure equipment or services that do not meet the requirements for interchangeability with already existing equipment or services; if additional work that was not included in the initial contract, became necessary under unforeseeable circumstances and the separation of the additional works or services from the original contract would be difficult for technical or economic reasons; in cases of extreme urgency, provided that the circumstances which led to the urgency were not foreseeable by the contracting authority; if the services require that a specific consultant due to his unique qualifications or when it is necessary to continue with the same consultant. The use of sole source procurement for the reasons stated above is subject to prior approval by the Procurement Committee. If the contracting authority deals with the unilateral awarding of contracts for the above-mentioned reasons, it will prepare a written description of its needs and any special requirements regarding quality, quantity, conditions and time of delivery; and shall request the submission of an offer or proposal in writing or both and may deal with a single offer.
