Monrovia, Liberia – On Saturday, September 7, Liberia and the People’s Republic of China participated in a one-day Trade Forum in Shenzhen City, China’s “Silicon Valley,” third most populated city after Shanghai and Beijing where Liberia presented several investment prospects in the areas of tourism, trade, agriculture among others.
Supported by the African Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia (Beijing) held the Forum in association with Shenzhen Municipal Government’s Foreign Affairs Office.
Under the Forum’s subject, China and Liberia Cooperating in Building a High-Level China Africa Community with a Shared Future in the Spirit of FOCAC, hundreds of Chinese investors came alongside an array of Liberian government leaders headed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
Luring Chinese investors to Liberia, President Boakai remarked, “We present to you chances because you have the skills to help us. We value personal interactions between people. Here we are to create a nation that keeps being nice. We need technology; we need investments so that you will start to see the actual Liberia.
He guaranteed investors would find Liberia appealing. “We all can become a world in which we will create possibilities by investing with us and releasing our potential.”
Under the Forum’s theme, China and Liberia Cooperating in Building a High-Level China Africa Community with a Shared Future in the Spirit of FOCAC, hundreds of Chinese investors joined an array of Liberian government figures headed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.
President Boakai said, “We present to you opportunities because you have the capabilities to help us. We respect personal interactions among people. Here we are to build a country that never loses its friendliness. We need technology; we need investments to enable you to see the real Liberia.
The Liberian Leader assured investors would find Liberia interesting. “We can all help to create possibilities by investing with us and releasing our potential. The people of Liberia are one of its best assets; our friendliness, good nature, and charity help us to deal with investors.”
“China and Liberia are friends; and now, it is time to see how we can work together, how we can find opportunities to invest; find exchanges not only economically, but also culturally; people-to–person relations for shared prosperity,” said Liberia’s Ambassador to China, D. McKinley Thomas.
The Chinese government said it is willing to help Liberia in several fields including investment. Having President Boakai and his delegation in Shenzhen, Richard Zhong, Deputy Director General, Foreign Affairs Office of the Shenzen Municipality stated it was an honor. The Chinese official also mentioned that Shenzhen Municipality is ready to cooperate with Liberia in the areas of economic growth, energy support through power generation and infrastructure development. We have to be quite conscientious to help each other.
Setting the scene for the discussion, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, highlighted Liberia’s tourism investment potentials and presented the national development strategy – the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. “Liberia’s tourism strengths lie in cultural, surf, eco, and marine tourism, bird watching, among others which we are endowed,” minister Piah stated.
In his comment, Amin Modad, the minister of commerce, said Liberia has great economic prospects and Liberia welcome reputable partners eager in doing business in a safe and favorable surroundings. The government of Liberia is emphasizing on building an environment that welcomes foreign investments as well as helping domestic economic empowerment of the Liberian business community and entrepreneurs.
Minister Modad said, “In 2023, Liberia imported nearly US$10 billion worth of commodities from China; and in reverse, only US$85 million was exported from Liberia to China,” noting that although Liberia is a net importer of goods, the expertise and cooperation with China are needed to expand commercial trade and industrial sector.
J Alexander Nuetah, the Minister of Agriculture, urged Chinese investors to visit Liberia and make investments in the growth of agricultural value chains including poultry, cattle, food crops including the staple food of the nation and horticulture output, agribusiness development and agricultural financing. According to him, Liberia offers great prospects, incentives for investments through land access, and incentives to help in investments.
Set up to sell Liberia to Chinese investors, the well-attended Forum came to a conclusion with pledges from Chinese businesses to visit Liberia shortly to identify important areas for future investment.
