The Bureau of Public Affairs

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Monrovia, Liberia

NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014

The Government of Liberia’s launch of the National Export and Trade Policy, China Union Liberia Investment’s assurance to jobs provision for qualified Liberians and the Press Union of Liberia President’s warning to journalists against ethical breaches are among stories highlighted in our summary of the local dailies today.

Dominant Story

Gov’t Hosts Confab, Trade Fair

Following what appears to be a highly successful vision for micro, small and medium enterprise development, the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has begun a two-day National Conference and Trade Fair in Monrovia, bringing together various stakeholders, including small and medium size businesses, the Government of Japan, USAID, the International Trade Center (ITC), and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), among others. The conference, which is being hosted for the second year, gives small businesses here the opportunity to showcase their secrets-to-success, network with local, regional and international investors.  The exercise which kicked off Tuesday, 29 April at the Monrovia City Hall is being held with the theme: “From Vision to Implementation: Buying Liberian, Building Liberia.” It places emphasis on agriculture, showcasing Liberian cotton and country cloth from Lofa, cassava, and rice production.  Addressing the opening, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf first recognized the over 500 MSMEs, banks and financial institutions as well as multilateral corporations present at the opening ceremony and described the conference as an important event because it allows Liberia to celebrate the private sector role in generating jobs, raising income and helping to transform the economy.  The President also hailed small businesses that were making improvement in the sector and holding major contracts with Government, International Non-governmental Organizations and multilateral companies. She indicated that the success of micro, small and medium enterprises is fundamental to the future of the Liberian economy because they are the main drivers of innovation, jobs and growth, which she said, is true for other African countries.  Quoting the Minister of Commerce, the President said that the number of registered Liberian businesses is put at 10,000 with 6,000 of them newly registered and that the informal sector MSMEs comprised the lion share of job creation and growth across almost every sector. “Agriculture is a prime example of this strength and that Liberia’s greatest blessing is the water in our rivers and the soil beneath our feet”, she said, calling on all Liberians to join the government in supporting local SMEs development.  For his part, the Minister of Commerce Axel M. Addy, said the conference marks yet again another important day of changing the Liberian story from destruction to transformation and that he’s humbled by the adventure, adding, “I feel lucky.” Minister Addy emphasized.  He said the conference is about celebrating the unsung drivers of the Liberian economy, who day in and day out dare to take a leap of faith and invest in Liberia’s transformation story.  “Every day, in every house, on every street new entrepreneur are developing new ideas and driving new innovations to meet market demands,” Minister Addy explained.  Other speakers at the opening ceremony were United States Ambassador to Liberia Deborah Malac, the International Finance Corporation Resident Representative Mr. Frank Ajilore and Ms. Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the International Trade Center, (ITC). Meanwhile, the conference enters day two and final stage today with thematic plenary sessions on policy opportunities for MSMEs in the areas of: Access to Finance and Access to Markets characterized by multiple breakout sessions to allow more detailed discussions, New Dawn reports.  

Liberia Launches National Export Strategy And Trade Policy 

 FrontPage Africa reports thatLiberia has launched its National Export Strategy (NES) and its National Trade Policy (NTP) with a view to boost the capacities of its private sector and re-connect the country with regional and global markets.  The launch, which took place at the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Conference and Trade Fair in Monrovia, comes after several rounds of multi-stakeholder consultations led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC). The NES and NTP will function as blueprints for the Government, the private sector and Liberia's development partners in their joint efforts to help Liberian SMEs enhance competitiveness and value addition. They will guide Liberia's efforts to generate employment opportunities, improve the business environment and explore means of sustainable growth. 'I am proud to launch the Liberia National Trade Policy 2014-2019 and the Liberia National Export Strategy 2014-2019. These two documents outline the Liberian Government’s strategy for creating inclusive growth through trade competitiveness,' said Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia’s President. 'The trade policy serves as the Government’s overarching strategy for trade steering the country towards regional integration into ECOWAS and multilateral integration into the World Trade Organization.  The National Export Strategy provides sector support to key sectors where we have the best opportunity to generate export diversification. Through implementing this strategy we expect to create a vibrant and diversified export basket and to open new markets and opportunities for business owners,'  Ms. Johnson Sirleaf said. ITC Executive Director Arancha González said: 'Trade is about finding ways of adding value to a country’s goods and services, and through that get greater access to local, regional and global value chains. This is important for all countries, but for a post-conflict, such as Liberia, the urgency is greater as trade helps provide stability and security.' ‘Any country wishing to navigate these value chains needs a compass. For Liberia, a least developed country, the National Export Strategy and the National Trade Policy provide a clear direction on how to best take advantage of the country's natural resources and its people, women and youth, in a sustainable manner,’ Ms. González said. The NES targets the development of five priority sectors: cassava, cocoa, fish and crustaceans, oil palm, and rubber. The strategy also targets three trade-support functions – access to finance, quality management, and trade logistics and facilitation – which has a positive impact on the export competitiveness of all sectors. Work has also already begun on exploring the opportunities offered by tourism and the furniture sectors. The NTP, meanwhile, is Liberia’s first policy document that holistically addresses issues related to trade. Its main objective is to promote the integration of Liberia into the global economy through increasing the competitiveness of its businesses, with a focus on the agricultural, industrial and services sectors.

Related Caption: Liberia launches NES and National Trade Policy(New Dawn), Liberia Launches Trade Policy- Economy Set To Boom(The New Republic), Gov’t Hosts Confab, Trade Fair(New Dawn), SMEs Cardinal to Liberia’s Growth and Development Says Commerce & Industry Minister(Heritage), Nat’l Export Strategy Tops 2^nd MSME Conference(Daily Observer, ), Liberia Launches National Trade Policy(The News), Liberia Launches Major Trade Instruments…As ITC, IFC Others Promise Support(The Inquirer), Ellen rates MSME High For Job Creation(New Democrat), MSME Conference Gains Boost(FOCUS)

“Devote Attention to Market Incentives”….Amb. Malac Urges

United States Ambassador Deborah Malac has urged the Government of Liberia and partners to devote more attention to market initiatives. Amb. Malac said the government and its partners need to ensure this by improving the business environment, especially for Liberian farmers to reap the benefits of the growth of their productions. “A favorable business climate encourages the growth of MSMEs and promotes the commercialization of food value chains…”. According to the News newspaper, the US envoy spoke Tuesday at the opening of two-day National Micro Medium Small Enterprise (MSME) conference in Monrovia, asserts the News newspaper.

China Union Commits To Mineral Development Agreement

According to The Analyst newspaper, the Management of China Union Liberia Investment has assured that it will remain committed to providing jobs for qualified Liberians who meet the requirements of the company for employment. In an interview with the Liberia News Agency Monday in Bong Mines, the Deputy General Services Manager of China Union, Cloud Gao, said the mining firm will abide by the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) signed with the Liberian Government, as well as the Labor Laws of the country. Gao said already as part of its obligation under the MDA, the company has paid full benefits to occupants of the former Bong Mining Company (BMC) buildings through the Ministry of Finance, with the advice and consent of the Ministry of Justice. He, however, stopped short of disclosing the total amount on grounds that it was the responsibility of the Liberian Government to inform its citizens. The China Union Manager said he was quite surprised to hear the former BMC occupants complain about not receiving enough money for their resettlement, when each family head got US$500 from the government through the Ministries of Lands, Mines and Energy, Finance and Justice in January of this year. The China Union Management’s clarification comes in the wake of a recent research report done by the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) accusing the China Union of not living up to the terms and conditions of the MDA. In the report, the SDI further accused the China Union of failing to employ Liberians at the managerial level, provide drugs and other essential medical supplies at the company’s hospital and that there was growing distrust between Fuamah District residents and China Union. But China Union said it was living up to its side of the agreement by providing job opportunities for Liberians, noting that the company was looking at a bigger picture where one day Liberians will take over from Chinese expatriates.

Related Captions: China Union commits to Mineral Development Agreement(INSIGHT), China Union Assures Liberian(The New Republic)

PUL Prexy Cautions Journalists Against Ethical Breaches

The INSIGHT newspaper says the President of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Mr. K. Abdullai Kamara, has urged journalists to do all within their power to avoid ethical transgressions in the discharge of their duties. He said it is unfair for a journalist to report a wrong story against an individual, institution or public official only to offer apology for ethical breach. According to the Liberia News Agency, Mr. Kamara made the statement Tuesday at a one-day Media Engagement For Freedom of Information Utilization held in the conference room of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) on Broad Street in Monrovia. The workshop was hosted by the Carter Center, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through IREX.

Related Caption: PUL Prexy cautions Journalists against ethical breaches(The Analyst)

25 Journalists On Development Training

About 25 Liberian journalists from several media entities are attending a three day development reporting training organized by the Press Union of Liberia PUL and United Nations Development Programmed UNDP in Paynesville City. The training which comes to an end mid week has in attendance 9 female and 16 male journalists with several senior Liberian media professionals serving as facilitators at the three day workshop. The aim of the UNDP and PUL training workshop is to develop a pool of journalists who would create a network geared at promoting issues associated with development in their reportage, The Analystreports.

Related Caption: Serve As Ambassadors”…UNDP Communication Analyst Tells Journalist(The News)

LFA Gets 25 Acres For Sports Complex In Grand Gedeh

The Liberia Football Association (LFA) has been given 25 acres of land to construct a sports complex in Grand Gedeh County. Speaking on behalf of Tchien Chiefdom at the recent Tribal Certificate signing ceremony held at the administration building, Paramount Chief David G. Nebo said the donation is the chiefdom’s way of contributing to peace through sports. The Tribal Certificate signed by chiefs, elders and youths of Tchien Menzon Chiefdom authorizes LFA to build the spot academy as part of the chiefdom’s assistance to providing facilities for the youths to play and develop sporting talents. Receiving the certificate on behalf of the County Administration at the ceremony attended by |Grand Gedeh County Senator G. Alphonso Gaye, Superintendent Peter Solo expressed appreciation for the gesture on behalf of the county leadership and assured that the land will be used for its intended purpose, FOCUS reports.

Related Caption:LFA Gets 25 Acres For Sports Complex In Grand Gedeh(Heritage)

Gov't Eyes Harper Tourism Potential

The Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), Lewis Brown, has described Harper City in Maryland County as “an oasis of tourism”, and has assured that Government will pay serious attention to it. According to Minister Brown, the Government wants the world to know that Harper “is a city of sunshine and happiness” through the promotion of its tourists attractions. He made the statement at the Harper City Hall at the weekend when he spoke at a welcome ceremony hosted in his honor by the county’s Acting Superintendent, Nathaniel Toe, and other local government officials. Presenting him the traditional kola nuts, Toe told Minister Brown that he is not considered a stranger in Maryland, considering that it is his (Brown’s) maternal root. Minister Brown visited major touristic sites in Harper and parts adjacent during his visit, and is expected to report to the President about the prospects and challenges relative to these sites. The MICAT boss said his visit to the county is also intended to get an understanding of how government’s development undertakings are impacting the lives of the people. He urged local authorities of the county to provide him the necessary information that will enable government have a clear picture of what the problems are and how it can tackle them, reports the INSIGHT newspaper.

Related Caption: Gov't eyes Harper tourism potential(The Analyst)

OTHER STORIES

Media Urged To Utilize FOI

Media managers in Liberia have been encouraged to take advantage of the Freedom of Information Law to enhance their reportage by making public officials and institutions to account for their services to the public. The law was enacted in 2010 by the Government of Liberia in demonstration of her commitment to free speech and free press. But it seems like not many local journalists are fully cognizant of the law or are making use of the instrument.
The Press Union of Liberia and the Carter Center under auspices of USAID through IREX held a one-day round table for media managers on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the YMCA aimed at promoting the use of the Freedom of Information Law in the country. Project Lead Cllr. T. Negbalee Warner, and Senior Project Coordinator, P. Alphonsus Zeon served as facilitators.
PUL President Abdullai Kamara said too often the media here is accused of not getting the relevant news for the public, stressing that, “Your journalism gets better if you pursue the information and get it.” Kamara challenged reporters and editors to get to relevant sources that would enable them to write better stories for their readers, listeners and viewers, New Dawn reports.
 

Hydro Project Gets US$250m Boost…To Resume Electricity Supply 2015

Signal are now beaming in the air that the Mount Coffee Hydro that was destroyed as a result of the Liberian civil war in 192 is about to be rehabilitated to resume full operation. The Mount Coffee Hydro is the main source of power supply to Monrovia and its environs, but it was damaged during the fratricidal civil debacle of Liberia. From every indication, the hydro may start full operation in the country by 2015, the Analyst reports.

 New Circuit Court Dedicated In Bong

The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court facilities at the Gbarnga Regional Justice and Security Hub have been officially dedicated by Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly. The court’s complex at the Hub comprises of forty rooms, including residential quarters for judges, County Attorney and staff of his office, as well as some important judicial actors in the county. The Gbarnga Magisterial court also has a space to execute its mandate. At the official opening of the modern facilities, Internal Affairs Minister Morris Dukuly, who proxied for President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, described the construction of the court complex as a big boost to the judiciary. Minister Dukuly said the dedication was indicative of the commitment of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration to transforming the judiciary, making it people-centered. He stated that unlike before, the ascendancy of the present administration on January 16, 2006 when the judiciary was faced with a lot of difficulties, much progress has been made in this branch of government, commending Chief Justice Francis Korkpor, Sr. for working hard to improve the infrastructure and professional capacities of the judiciary, but added that more needed to be done in the sector.
Minister Dukuly disclosed that very shortly, the government and its partners will commence the construction of four additional justice and Security Hubs in Harper, Maryland County and Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. In his statement, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor, Sr. congratulated the government and partners for working to bring dignity to the judiciary. He commended President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf particularly for providing the leadership role in the process that occasioned the successful completion of the court complex.
The Chief Justice reminded citizens that an improved judicial service contributes to the restoration of public confidence in the judicial system, adding that the court’s complex has brought gladness to him as head of the judiciary. Yesterday’s opening was attended by high profile government officials, including Acting Justice Minister Wheatonia Dixon Barnes, lawmakers of Bong County, the county leadership, as well as prominent citizens of the hub region to include Bong, Lofa and Nimba Counties. The move of the Gbarnga magisterial Court to the hub has come as a big relief to staff of the court, who, on several occasions, expressed concerns about the dilapidated condition of the building, before it was partially renovated by the county authorities during the admittance of senator Jewel Hoard Taylor into the county local bar, New Dawn reports.

GVL Scholarship Students Arrive

Seven students who received engineering scholarships from Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) have arrived in the country from Indonesia. The students were given a warm welcome by officials of GvL Tuesday, April 29, at the company’s main office in Monrovia. Speaking at the occasion, the manager for career and education programs at GVL, Jean Hannah Thompson, said that the students have returned for a short break after going through six months of studies in Indonesia. According to Madam Thompson, the students were given the opportunity last year to undergo advanced training in engineering, the Daily Observer reports.

GOL Provides US$60,000.00; L$6.9 Million To LFA

Reports reaching the Daily Observer have confirmed that the Liberian government recently provided US$60,000.00 and L$6.9 million to the Liberia Football Association. The information was confirmed yesterday when a score at the LFA said the money was part of the GOL’s budget allocation for the Liberia Football Association. However, information further claimed that EC member Ms. Rochel Woodson reported collected much of the money because she pre-financed the recent female national team’s trip to Freetown, Sierra Leone as well as the recent LFA 19^th Congress in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.