By Wilfred S. Gortor
MONROVIA, Nov. 18 (LINA) – The Liberian leader took to the platform at the Global Business Forum (GBF) in Dubai on Monday and in the plain view of an array of heads of state, ministers, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs from Africa, professed that the nation business climate is conducive and that the country needs “honest investors.”
Glittering in a white suite, President George Manneh Weah articulated the state of Liberia’s economy to his audience, unleashing punchy thoughts of how his government has embarked on a vigorous sojourn to revive the nation’s economy and to institute policy prescriptions aimed at maximizing investment potentials.
“Liberia is the best destination for investment; we want our country to develop, we want our people to succeed,” said Liberia’s Chief Executive in his deliberation that replicated several tweets in the world of Twitter.
While subsisting laws and policies on taxation remain a hindrance to Liberia’s business climate, President Weah cited that his government is offering tax incentives to bring in investors and as well tackle some of the laws that make investment difficult.
Since the end of the 15-year civil crisis, Liberia has been misconstrued as an unfavorable destination for trade and investment and at most a relic of war, but President Weah cited that he wants to change that paradigm so that “when they talk about Liberia, they want to talk about jobs, business, and sports.”
Alluding to his role as a former opposition leader, Weah branded himself as the best main opposition leader, stating that he was always praising the government and later went on to accept the job as a “Peace Ambassador.”
“We need to work with the government as politicians to develop the country,” he emphasized.
Commenting on the nations staple diet, he affirmed that Liberia spends US$150 million annually to import rice, something he said is not a good thing to do, suggesting that Liberia must try to grow its own food.
Liberia economy has since taken a nosedive and remains underdeveloped due to the nation’s civil crisis which lasted for about 15 years. Until 1979, Liberia’s economy was among the most developed and fastest-growing in sub-Saharan Africa.
The current state of the nation’s economy remains fragile. The global economic meltdown coupled with a sharp decline in the prices of Liberia’s two major exports of iron ore and rubber as well as the Ebola crisis in 2014 offset the country’s growth rate, a situation which the Weah-led regime is struggling to mend.
The 5th edition of the GBF opened on Monday in Dubai. The business forum brings together heads of state, ministers, policymakers, prominent business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from Africa.
Held under theme « Scale-Up Africa », the 5th edition of the two-day forum is organized by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
GBF Africa 2019 is the largest event of its kind in the region, focusing on Africa’s vast economic potential and exploring new avenues of cooperation between UAE businesses and their African counterparts.
LINA WSG/PTK
