Monrovia, Liberia – Dominic Nimely, the Liberia Business Association’s Chairperson for Commerce and Trade, has reminded President Joseph N. Boakai to include the business community on his business visits.
Speaking in Monrovia on Monday, June 10, 2024, Nimely stated that no businessperson was present on the President’s inaugural trip to the UN-Africa Business in the United States of America.
“In other West African countries, the government sponsor the business people because they are there to sell the country. The business people are the back bone of any country.”
He disclosed that anytime businesspeople accompany the president on a business trip, it lessens the burden on the government by attracting enterprises. He claimed that directors and miniseries that accompany the president on such trips are illiterate in the language of other businesspeople.
Nimely asserted that Senators and Representatives would not be able to accomplish what a business person would do, saying that only a businessman would be able to persuade another businessman.
According to him, the presence of businesses in the nation relieves pressure on the government by giving residents jobs, which benefits the government by generating revenue.
According to the Chairperson on Commerce and Trade, when a new administration takes office, there ought to be improvements that benefit the people.
According to Nimely, foreign companies dominate the private sector and have left Liberian enterprises behind. He also added that foreign companies handle supplies, wholesale, and retail.
He claimed that although the harmonization policy exists, it is not being implemented effectively. Nimely added that the President had not met with the private sector that is, the Chamber of Commerce and the Liberian business community since taking office.
“We can (business people) not be in our country, then you have foreigners doing wholesale, retail and supplies and everything been sole is sub-stander. We can not be in our our own country and see City Builder selling 2by2 by pieces, what is being left for Liberians? He sells blocks by pieces and clement by bags, what being left for us? Why can’t we put ourselves first.”
Meanwhile, Nimely has threatened an unspecific action if the government refuses to have talks with the business community.
The Chairperson on Commerce and Trade reminded the President to never forget the people who helped him win election. He clarified that foreigners should stay in the factories and let Liberians handle retail and supply sector.
He revealed that supplies and retail are not intended for international trade.
