Liberia's Foreign Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has been holding discussions with a top level Ministerial delegation in Paris, France as a follow up to a recent visit to the United Arab Emirates by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The talks which were held on the margins of the holding of the election for the country to host the 2020 World Expo, allowed the Liberian Foreign Minister to discuss with the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the Minister of Energy and the Minister of the Economy among others.

In their separate meetings, Minister Ngafuan discussed the progress Liberia has made over the past years under the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, but emphasized the need to seek more help and collaborations in the areas of energy, investment, roads infrastructure and ports.

The Liberian Foreign Minister stressed the need to support Small and Medium Enterprises, (SMEs) as a way of promoting jobs creation and positively impacting the growth of the economy. He said these small businesses will have direct impact on value added on Liberian businesses and at the same time create jobs for Liberians as well.

In the meeting with the Minister of Economy of the United Arab Emirates, Sultan Al Mansouri, the UAE Minister pledged his country's commitment to supporting Liberia in its recovery process and programs.

Sultan Al Mansouri said the Emirates stands supportive of Liberia's energy, port management and development, training for aviation employees at the Emirates Aviation College and promoting progress in the country's oil and gas sector.

Minister Ngafuan and Sultan Mansouri discussed on the Liberia-UAE Joint Commission which will serve as the nerve center for the implementation and collaboration of all the programs as well as the flying to Liberia of the Emirates Airline. Both men agreed that the Joint Commission will greatly assist the countries in defining new grounds and enhancing closer collaboration and promotion of investment opportunities and growth.

At the election of the World EXPO 2020 in Paris, France, and with support from Liberia and other countries, the city of Dubai won the bid to host the Expo after an overwhelming vote. Other contesting cities who presented bids to host the Expo included Sao Paulo in Brazil, Ekaterinburg in Russia and Izmir in Turkey.

In the final vote, the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai won with 116 votes against Russia's Ekaterinburg with 47 votes.

The United Arab Emirates delegation urged Minister Augustine Ngafuan to convey their sentiments of appreciation to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for Liberia's support to their bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai which was held in Paris, France.