Jeety Challenges Government: Supports US$18 million Factory Expansion.
Monrovia, Liberia – In order to produce the country’s first tire domestically by the middle of 2028, Jeety Rubber LLC, one of Liberia’s leading rubber processors, has challenged the government to guarantee a daily supply of 550 tonnes of wet rubber.
The company, owned by business tycoon Upjit Singh Sachdeva (commonly known as Jeety), issued the challenge as it nears the conclusion of its ongoing $18 million second-phase expansion, which would significantly boost its processing capacity.
“By 2028, either June or July, Liberians can expect the first made-in-Liberia tire,” Mr. Jeety said in remarks at a recognition ceremony attended by the Minister of Agriculture on March 25. “But if I do not have the raw material, I will not be able to run the factory and do the expansion to make tyres. We have completed feasibility studies to manufacture truck tyres, passenger vehicle tyres, motorcycle and tricycle tyres,” he added.
The company’s present five-ton-per-hour capacity will be virtually doubled by the addition of a new processing line that can handle eight tonnes of rubber per hour as part of the 60% finished plant expansion. It is reported that the company’s current daily requirements of 200 to 250 tonnes of wet rubber will increase to about 550 tonnes after it starts operations in June or July 2026.
Mr. Jeety warns that the company’s ambition to manufacture tires could halt before it starts if it is unable to satisfy its insatiable de mend for raw materials. “If I do not have the raw material, I will not be able to run the factory and do the expansion to make tires,” he said. “I will not be investing 35 to 40 million dollars more if I’m not getting enough rubber.”
His primary case is that the government should prohibit or outlaw the export of raw rubber, which is referred to locally as “cuplumps.” According to Mr. Jeety, Liberia loses manufacturing jobs and economic value due to raw rubber exports, which essentially subsidise jobs in rival countries. “When you export unprocessed rubber, you are exporting jobs. You are giving jobs to people in Malaysia,” he said. “If you want to give jobs to the youth, you need to stop the exportation of raw material.”
Jeety stated that higher farm-gate prices would boost rural development and increase the amount of rubber brought to market. He urged the government to fortify price systems that would enable rubber producers to earn higher wages. “If farmers get a better price, they develop. They are able to feed their children. They are able to send their children to better schools,” he said. “I am an Indian by passport, Liberian by heart. I want to do something unique, to make the first tire in this country.”
Mr. Jeety acknowledged the significant challenges his business faced, but he expressed optimism about the upcoming milestone. The Rubber Development Fund Incorporated (RDFI) and the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) recently recognised him for Jeety Rubber’s contribution to the nation’s rubber industry.
The associations praised Jeety Rubber for its unwavering support of smallholder farmers during a period when other buyers halted rubber purchases in protest of a government decision to implement a regulated farm-gate price, describing the company as a true partner to the Liberian rubber industry.
