"Liberia Mission To Asia Was Successful" – Minister Piah

 By T. Ezekiel Geeplay

 Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has described President Boakai’s visit to Asia as successful, adding that more investment initiatives are underway to benefit the country. 

Speaking Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism regular press briefing, Minister Piah said at the bilateral engagement in Indonesia, President Boakai made the case for the country’s support for the industrialization of the Liberian oil palm sector and the establishment of an oil palm refinery for value addition. 

He said President Boakai also advanced the idea for the establishment of Indonesian banks in Liberia to provide financing support to smallholder farmers, investments in energy and support for mechanized rice production to aid Liberia’s food sufficiency. 

Minister Piah said during the engagement, President Boakai  called for the reactivation of the Liberia-Indonesia Joint Commission as a platform for development cooperation for both countries. 

"The Liberian leader is touting Indonesia as a major partner for investments in Southeastern Liberia where the Indonesian firm Golden Veroleum already has an estimated $2.2 billion in oil palm investments," Minister Piah explained. 

Minister Piah said President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. will shortly announce a team to follow up the commitments secured from his Asia trip.

According to him, Liberia is poised to benefit from several investment initiatives as various sectors of Government also signed Memoranda of Understanding covering technology, oil refinery, tourism and hospitality, roads and bridges, trade and commerce as well as an agreement advancing Liberia’s maritime programs and activities in China.