The Governments of the Republic of Liberia and Indonesia have renewed their commitments to strengthen bilateral ties between the two Countries; especially economically, in the area of trade.
The commitments were made on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at a bilateral meeting in New York between His Excellency Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations, and Her Excellency Ms. Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.
Ambassador Kemayah asserted that Liberia values the relationship with Indonesia; and stressed that it was important for the bilateral ties to have a trigger down effect, and benefit not just the Governments, but the people of the two Countries. He expressed the conviction that the area of trade is one of the many ways that would enhance cooperation for the benefit of the people of Liberia and Indonesia.
Ambassador Kemayah then informed Minister Marsurdi that the Government of Liberia, under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr. George Manneh Weah, remains resolute in attracting investors; and encouraged Indonesia to send a trade team to Liberia to assess the many opportunities in different sectors.
Said Ambassador Kemayah: " Our President, His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, upon taking over the mantle of authority, made it emphatic that his Government is open to attracting foreign investors; while at the same encouraging Liberians at the domestic front to take advantage of investment opportunities. We will like to see Indonesia fielding a trade mission to Liberia so that they will have an opportunity to see first-hand, what is on the ground, and assess the opportunities for investments that will benefit the people of both Countries".
For her part, Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi hailed the relations subsisting between Indonesia and Liberia, and pledged her Country's commitment to further enhance bilateral ties economically; through trade.
Minister Marsudi recalled the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2013, establishing the Liberia-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (Technical and Trade).
The Indonesian Foreign Minister then spoke of a possible cooperation in the area of infrastructure, disclosing that her Government will in August this year, host an Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue, with a specific focus on investing in infrastructure in African Countries; and invited Liberia's participation.
According to a dispatch from the Permanent Mission of Liberia to the United Nations, Minister Marsudi also spoke of working collaboratively with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in finding a mechanism to strengthen trade relations; underscoring the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
Ambassador Kemayah welcomed the news of the "Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue" and informed Minister Marsudi that infrastructure development is at the core of the Government of Liberia's Flagship Development Agenda, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). " The vision of our President, His Excellency Dr. Weah is to see, for instance, road connectivity throughout the Republic of Liberia; especially the rural areas. As such, infrastructure development is a top priority for our Government. Not just roads, but housing for the poor through a program dubbed from "Huts to House"; the health and agriculture sectors; as well, are all areas of focus in enhancing economic growth and development as a country." Ambassador Kemayah emphasized.
Ambassador Kemayah then implored the Indonesian Foreign Minister to consider support for Liberia's Pro-Poor Agenda, as Indonesia contemplates on increasing its collaboration and investing in Africa.
Formal Diplomatic Relations between Liberia and Indonesia dates back to 1965.
