President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and her delegation arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday, November 21, for a three-day Working Visit, the focus of which isdeveloping Liberia’s infrastructure, including its ports and road networks.

According to a dispatch from Dubai, the Liberian President is in the emirate at the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, with whom she held discussions on Thursday evening.

In her meeting with the Prime Minister, President Sirleaf reaffirmed Liberia’s support for the emirate in hosting Dubai EXPO 2020. Voting among the four contenders – the others being Brazil, Russia and Turkey – will take place on November 27. The Prime Minister urged Liberia to send a high-level delegation to Paris next week, to meet with their counterparts to discuss collaboration.

The discussion between the two leaders focused on the current status of Liberia’s economy: the contribution of foreign direct investment by regional and external partners to jump-start the economy after a prolonged civil war; and fisheries as one of many areas that could generate employment and revenue for the government.

There was agreement that Liberia’s infrastructure deficit remains a major challenge in implementing the necessary projects that reward investors on their returns, create job opportunities for Liberians, and improve welfare overall. The lack of energy, roads and ports infrastructure have also limited Liberia’s ability in the manufacturing sector, thereby impacting its production capacity and preventing the creation of value-added industries which promote job opportunities in an economy with high unemployment.

President Sirleaf mentioned the 54 cents per kilowatt hour that Liberians pay for energy, in a country with an energy sector capacity of just 22 MW. To mitigate the cost of energy, she called for Dubai to partner with Liberia in the areas of renewable energy, including mini-hydro plants and solar panels for schools and hospitals, especially in rural areas. The President recalled Liberia’s support for the UAE’s bid as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency, which Abu-Dhabi had won. The Prime Minister’s team agreed to look at renewable energy projects in Liberia.

The President extended her invitation to Emirates Airlines to fly to Monrovia in order provide shorter routes to the U.S. and South America.

The two sides agreed to establish a Joint Commission to pursue the various proposals.

Accompanying President Sirleaf were: Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan; Representative Mariama Fofana; the Minister of Public Works, Dr. Antoinette Weeks; the Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Madam Matilda Wokie Parker; and the President’s Senior Economic Advisor, Dr. Mounir Siaplay.

Prior to her visit to Dubai, the Liberian President met, in Dakar, Senegal, with H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates Airlines and the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, where they discussed Liberia’s support for Dubai to host EXPO 2020. It was during this meeting, held on the margins of an ECOWAS Summit, that the invitation to visit Dubai was extended, to showcase Dubai infrastructure developments and its commitment to Liberia in the areas of sustainable energy and water supply, eliminating trade barriers, and the development of public private partnerships for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Upon her arrival in Dubai, President Sirleaf was met by UAE Protocol, Ambassador McKinley Thomas, and Liberia’s Consul General in Dubai, Mr. Arun Panchariya. Her first meeting was with executives of Dubai Port World, a leader in international marine terminal operations and development, logistics and related services. They gave a presentation on DP World’s global operations, particularly out of its Jebel Ali, London Gateway and Djibouti facilities. Making the presentation were: H.E. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman; H.E. Jamal Mazid Bin Thaniah, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Mohammed Sharaf.

President Sirleaf engaged DP World executives in animated conversation, seeking answers to many questions. Her Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Madam Matilda Wokie Parker, proposed opportunities to DP World in three areas in Liberia: a deep-water port in Buchanan; an inland port to be constructed near Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County; and numerous wharfs, piers and jetties – all forming part of the Authority’s 25-year Master Plan. She invited the company to look again at Liberia’s potential, and both sides agreed to continue their discussions on Friday, with DP World executives expressing their interest in win-win projects.The President and her delegation were scheduled to tour the DP World port facilities on Friday.

The President met next with H.E. Abdullah Lootah, President of the Emirates Competitive Council, who explained how the UAE monitors the performance of the various ministries in the implementation of programs, awards those that excel, and shames those that fall short of their goals. The objective, he said, was to motivate individuals to excel for the benefit of all.

Responding, President Sirleaf said that, in her Office, there is a President’s Delivery Unit (PDU) that monitors projects which ministers say they will implement. She introduced the Head of that Unit, Mr. Gyude Moore, and instructed him to work with the Competitive Council on how to broaden the scope of his own functions. Mr. Lootah replied that he would be happy to share knowledge.

President Sirleaf and her delegation will depart Dubai for Brussels on Sunday, November 24, to participate in the 2013 European Development Days forum.