MONROVIA, December 26 (LINA)-A local entrepreneur, Marie Dixon, has appealed to the Ministry of Commerce to increase to 40 percent the number of businesses set aside exclusively for Liberians to enhance the Liberianization policy.

The policy which was enacted in the 1970s, sets aside certain businesses exclusively for Liberian entrepreneurs including the sale of charcoal, cold water and other local products, according to the Liberia News Agency.

Dixon, who sells palm oil and other local produce in the Pipeline Market, made the appeal in remarks at the induction of officers of the Gorbachop Market Women Association in the Monrovia suburb of Paynesville Thursday.

According to Dixon, the current 25 percent is insufficient, adding that raising it to 40 percent will empower more Liberians and make the policy more efficient and effective.
She regretted that some foreign businessmen were engaged in the sale of cold water, ice and cool ale, among others, under the nose of authorities of the Ministry of Commerce who, he noted, are doing little or nothing to stop them.

Meanwhile, no official of the Commerce Ministry was available for comments when contacted Friday.
LINA