Economic Overview
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Sierra Leone Economic Outlook – African Development Bank
http://www.afdb.org/en/countries/west-africa/sierra-leone/sierra-leone-economic-outlook/
Sierra Leone is currently grappling with the after-effects of the Ebola crisis and the sustained decline in iron ore prices. Accordingly, GDP for 2015 is estimated to have contracted by more than one-fifth.
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Sierra Leone Overview – World Bank
http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/sierraleone/overview
Until the outbreak of Ebola in May 2014, Sierra Leone was seeking to become a transformed nation with middle-income status, but the country still carries its post-conflict attributes of high youth unemployment, corruption and weak national cohesion.
Industry Trends & Business Climate
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Sierra Leone News: Private Sector
http://awoko.org/2015/02/20/sierra-leone-news-private-sector-calls-for-improved-business-climate-on-post-ebola-economic-recovery/
Private sector executives have called on the Government of Sierra Leone to improve on business climate for post ebola economic recovery.
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2013-2017 – Sierra Leone Country Strategy Paper
http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Project-and-Operations/2013-2017%20-%20Sierra%20Leone%20Country%20Strategy%20Paper_01.pdf
See paragraph 14 of this report “Business Environment”
Establishing a Presence
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Starting a Business in Sierra Leone
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/sierra-leone/starting-a-business
This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Sierra Leone.
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Doing Business in Sierra Leone – World Bank Group
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/sierra-leone
The steps for launching a business are described on this site.
Taxes
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Paying Taxes in Sierra Leone
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/sierra-leone/paying-taxes
Income tax, profit tax, tax on company’s income are all named corporate income tax in this table
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Taxes, Tariffs and Incentives
http://www.embassyofsierraleone.net/node/87
Firms, domestic and foreign, are subject to a corporate tax rate of 30 percent (except for mining companies which pay 35 percent). Citizens are subject to taxes of 20 – 30 percent, depending on their income.
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Sierra Leone – VAT – Valued Added Tax 2016 .
http://countryeconomy.com/taxes/vat/sierra-leone
15% VAT in Sierra Leone
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Sierra Leone Corporate Tax Rate | 2014-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/sierra-leone/corporate-tax-rate
The Corporate Tax Rate in Sierra Leone stands at 30 percent.
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Sierra Leone Personal Income Tax Rate 2004-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/sierra-leone/personal-income-tax-rate
The Personal Income Tax Rate in Sierra Leone stands at 30 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Sierra Leone averaged 30.91 percent from 2004 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 35 percent in 2005 and a record low of 30 percent in 2006. Personal Income Tax Rate in Sierra Leone is reported by the National Revenue Authority.
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Sierra Leone Sales Tax Rate | 2010-2016
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/sierra-leone/sales-tax-rate
The Sales Tax Rate in Sierra Leone stands at 15 percent.
Visas
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Sierra Leone – State
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/sierra-leone.html
A passport and visa are required for travel to Sierra Leone. Visitors to Sierra Leone are required to show their International Certificates of Vaccination
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Sierra Leone Visa
https://www.passporthealthusa.com/passports-and-visas/visas/sierra-leone-visa/
Learn more about Sierra Leone’s visa requirement for travel. Passport Health makes it easy for travelers to obtain travel visas for Sierra Leone.
Infrastructure
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Sierra Leone — Transportation – iExplore
http://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/africa/sierra-leone/transportation
Local taxi is by far the most popular way of traveling both within and between cities, although they aren’t always the safest of option.
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Sierra Leone – Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband
https://www.kenresearch.com/technology-and-telecom/telecommunications-and-networking/sierra-leone-telecom-mobile-broadband-market/796-105.html
This site provides a comprehensive overview of trends and developments in Sierra Leone’stelecommunications market.
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Telecommunications in Sierra Leone
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommunications_in_Sierra_Leone
Telecommunications in Sierra Leone include radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones, and the Internet. Radio is the most-popular and most-trusted media source.
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Sierra Leone Transportation – Taxi, Train, Bus & Airport Tips
https://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Sierra_Leone/Transportation-Sierra_Leone-TG-C-1.html
Tips on getting to and getting around Sierra Leone from real travelers and locals.
Employer Obligations
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Labor Market Regulation in Sierra Leone
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/sierra-leone/labor-market-regulation
This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Sierra Leone.
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Sierra Leone Employment & Labor Law News Topics
http://employment.einnews.com/category/employment-labor-law/sierraleone
Current news topics on employment and labor in Sierra Leone
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Labor Market Regulation in Sierra Leone
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/sierra-leone/labor-market-regulation
This site provides a detailed summary of some of the labor regulations that would apply to local entrepreneurs wishing to hire workers, organize working schedules, improve job quality for workers, or make workers redundant for economic reasons in Sierra Leone.
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Solutions to Sierra Leone’s Unemployment Problems
http://www.thisissierraleone.com/solutions-to-sierra-leones-unemployment-problems/
A commentary on the employment situation in Sierra Leone
Culture/Living
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Sierra Leone Public Holidays 2016 and 2017
africapublicholidays.com/sierra-leone
Discover the complete list of Sierra Leone’s public holidays for 2016 and 2017
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Sierra Leone Weather – AccuWeather.com
http://www.accuweather.com/en/sl/sierra-leone-weather
Access hourly, 10 day and 15 day forecasts along with up to the minute reports and videos
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How to Master Business Etiquette in Sierra Leone
http://www.careeraddict.com/master-business-etiquette-in-sierra-leone
Brief comments on proper greetings, communication and attire.
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Sierra Leone Education System
http://www.classbase.com/Countries/Sierra-Leone/Education-System
A brief summary of the different levels of education in Sierra Leone. Urban children are structurally favored. Worst off are girls in rural areas, where cultural beliefs may not support their education at all.
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Sierra Leone travel advice – GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sierra-leone
Latest travel advice for Sierra Leone including safety and security
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Demographics of Sierra Leone
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Sierra_Leone
Demographic facts and statistics for Sierra Leone
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The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sl.html
See “People and Society” on this CIA site
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Cost of Living in Freetown. Updated Prices Aug 2016.
https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/freetown
Cost of living guidelines for Freetown
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Sierra Leone Climate, Average Weather
http://www.sierra-leone.climatemps.com/
Climate summary for six cities in Sierra Leone
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Cost of Living in Sierra Leone
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Sierra+Leone
Cost of living guidelines for Freetown
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Sierra Leone 2016 Crime & Safety Report
https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19740
Sierra Leone is not immune to robberies, home invasions, assaults, and petty street crimes. Even with the employment of security personnel, many instances of crime still occur; these usually involve some type of inside job/conspiracy and are typically non-violent in nature.
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Sierra Leone: Tipping & Etiquette – TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293832-s606/Sierra-Leone:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html
Before you visit Sierra Leone, visit TripAdvisorfor the latest info and advice, written for travelers by travelers.
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Sierra Leone | Global Partnership for Education
www.globalpartnership.org/country/sierra-leone
Sierra Leone joined the Global Partnership for Education in 2007. The country’s education sector plan covers the period 2014-2018 and focuses on increasing access, improving quality, and system strengthening.
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Public Holidays in Sierra Leone
www.worldtravelguide.net/sierra-leone/public-holidays
Full list of Sierra Leone public and bank holidays.
Trade
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Sierra Leone Customs Regulations
https://sierra-leone.visahq.com/customs/
Sierra Leone Customs regulations and procedures for importing and exporting goods at the border
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SIERRA LEONE REGULATIONS
https://www.cma-cgm.com/static/eCommerce/Attachments/Sierra%20Leone%20140416.pdf
This is a comprehensive report on import and export regulations for Sierra Leone
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WTO | Sierra Leone – Member information
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/sierra_leone_e.htm
This site provideskey information on Sierra Leone’s participation in the WTO. Sierra Leone has been a member of WTO since 23 July 1995 and a member of GATT since 19 May 1961.
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African Countries Trade Agreements
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/countries_e/sierra_leone_e.htm
A commentary on African trade agreements including Sierra Leone
Housing and Rentals
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Sierra Leone Hotels – TripAdvisor
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g293832-Sierra_Leone-Hotels.html
Find 945 traveler reviews, candid photos, and prices for 19 hotels in Sierra Leone.
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Hotels in Freetown | Visit Sierra Leone
https://www.visitsierraleone.org/Hotel-Reviews.html
A listing of hotels in Freetown
Travel
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Sierra Leone Tours & Travel | Intrepid Travel
http://www.intrepidtravel.com/sierra-leone
Long absent from the tourist map on account of the decade-long civil war that devastated the country during the 1990s, Sierra Leone is now slowly coaxing travellers back
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Sierra Leone – Lonely Planet
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/sierra-leone
The scars of Sierra Leone’s civil wars had just managed to heal when the West African Ebola outbreak ripped through the country in 2014