MONROVIA, October 17 (LINA) -U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac says the Ebola outbreak is having a negative impact on the Liberian economy.

Malac stated that the U.S. Embassy has been working closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to empower Liberian businesses and to encourage American investors to invest in Liberia for the growth of the economy.

She, however, lamented that the Ebola crisis has been an impediment to the success of this effort.
The U.S envoy made the statement Friday at a one-day Liberia-United States Business Development Forum held at a local hotel in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor.

She explained that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Defense Department and U.S. Embassy are working together with the Liberian Government and other partners to help contain the Ebola crisis.

According to the American diplomat, the presence of the U.S. Army in Liberia can have immense impact on the Liberian economy, noting that they are here to help battle Ebola by building treatment units for Ebola patients.
She said they will also establish few hospitals at which healthcare workers will be trained on how to treat those who contract the Ebola virus.

She emphasized that the U.S. Defense Department Africa Command is committed not only to supporting U.S. troops in Liberia and saving U. S. tax payers’ money through procurement, but also committed to partnering with Liberia to build its economic and business capacity.

The Liberia and United States Business Development Forum gathered several Liberian entrepreneurs.
LINA CB/JGT/TSS/PTK