The 10 million leones that Heidelberg Cement recently invested in Sierra Leone has been described by observers of multinational corporations as a sign of the Cement Company’s huge confidence in post-war Sierra Leone’s ability to arise, rebuild and re-develop itself into the Athens of Africa once again.

Meanwhile, Mr. Finn Heyerdahl Arnoldsen the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leocem who is also the Senior Vice President, Africa Division of HeidelbergCement and Mr Arne Birger Johansen, the Leocem MD  have both confirmed the confidence that Heidelberg has in Sierra Leone. Mr. Arnoldsen confirmed this whilst writing in a piece entitled, "Defying the Odds" that was published in the Informative Brochure recently released during the commissioning of the new Leocem Cement Mill at Cline Town in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Giving a brief overview of the history of Heidelberg’s presence in Sierra Leone which started as far back as 1993/94, Mr. Arnoldsen observed that it took courage and confidence on the part of his Multinational Board to pour in such a large quantum of money into Sierra Leone.

Mr. Arnoldsen also revealed that the amount of money poured into Sierra Leone by Heidelberg Cement was far more than that spent in any other African country; some with populations several times the size of Sierra Leone. "Leocem’s presence in Sierra Leone and our appreciation of such a huge investment group sends positive signals out to the wider world that indeed Sierra Leone is ready and open for business once again." an official at the Ministry of Trade intimated Awareness Times over the telephone recently.