He stressed the need for the creation of new skills for Liberian youth, many of whom, he observed, are unemployed.

According to a dispatch from Indonesia, Vice President Boakai made the call in Jakarta, during a courtesy call he paid on Indonesian Vice President Mohammad Jusuf Kalla.
 
He called for vocational schools that will target high school dropouts, teaching them to be good craftsmen, and giving them other professional skills to make the young people more marketable.

Vice President Boakai told his Indonesian counterpart that Liberia was tired being only a “raw material country” and wanted more investment in value addition and downstream operations.

The dispatch said Liberian Vice President also told the Indonesian Vice President that the Liberian people remain uncompromising in the fight against the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, and are determined to rid the country of the disease.

He commended Indonesia for its investment in Liberia’s agriculture sector, but called on Jakarta to diversify its investment portfolio, thereby advancing South-South cooperation.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Kalla welcomed Vice President Boakai and commended the Liberian government and people for effectively fighting the Ebola Virus Disease.

He called on the Liberian government to do more to actualize the bilateral agreements that were signed between Indonesia and Liberia.

The Indonesian Vice President spoke of the long-standing ties subsisting between the two countries and proposed an investment forum to highlight opportunities in Liberia.

 Vice President Boakai is representing the Liberian Government at the Asia-Africa Summit, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the new Africa-Asia Strategic partnership taking place in Indonesia.

Liberia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Yongor Telewoda, along with other Foreign Ministry officials and the VP's Office Aides, is accompanying VP Boakai to Indonesia.
LINA