Ebola Outbreak Begins to Affect West African Economy
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Jumat, 19 Oktober 2018 19:24 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The massive Ebola outbreak has started to affect the economic conditons of West African countries, especially Sierra Leone and Liberia. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), foreign businesses have started leaving the country due to security concerns.
AfDB chief Donald Kaberuka, said that Sierra Leone's gross domestic product has decreased by four percent.
"Revenues are down, foreign exchange levels are down, markets are not functioning, airlines are not coming in, projects are being cancelled, business people have left - that is very, very damaging," he told Reuters on Tuesday, August 26, 2014.
Sierra Leone Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources Abdul Ignosis Koroma, said that the government has failed to achieve its target of exporting US$200 million worth of diamonds this year. Previously in 2013, Sierra Leone had exported US$186 million worth of diamonds.
The AfDB is planning to provide US$60 million to train medical workers and purchase supplies to fight Ebola. Some US$15 million will be used to improve education and agriculture later in September.
RINDU P. HESTYA | REUTERS