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Liberia Chamber of Commerce Meets with His Excellency, Joseph N. Boakai on Issues pertaining to Private Sector Development and Support to the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).

The Liberia Chamber of Commerce (LCC), led by its President, Mr. O. Natty B. Davis II, held a landmark meeting with His Excellency, President Joseph Nyema Boakai, on Monday, January 20, 2025. This high-level meeting, convened at the President’s residence, marked a significant step toward strengthening public-private sector collaboration under the newly launched "ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development" (AAID).

During the meeting, President Boakai underscored the vital role of the private sector in driving Liberia’s economic growth and development. “Potential investors want to hear from people already in business on the ground to get the right impression,” he noted, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for private sector expansion, especially in agriculture, infrastructure, and value-chain development.

President Boakai reflected on Liberia’s past successes in private sector-led growth, particularly in agriculture, and expressed optimism about revitalizing investments in critical sectors such as oil palm, cocoa, and coffee. He highlighted the importance of infrastructure improvements—specifically roads, energy, water, and sanitation—as a catalyst for economic transformation.

Mr. Davis congratulated President Boakai and his administration on the successful launch of the AAID, reaffirming the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the government’s development priorities. The Chamber proposed a structured engagement framework involving quarterly meetings between the Economic Management Team and private sector stakeholders. These sessions would identify and address barriers to private sector growth, fostering actionable solutions and measurable results.

Key areas of discussion included:

Enhancing coordination between public and private sectors.

Strengthening business-to-government dialogue to address domestic debt settlement and investment flows.

Exploring public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.

Addressing operational challenges faced by bulk users at the National Port Authority and APM Terminals.

As regards addressing operational challenges at the NPA, the Chamber raised concerns regarding logistical challenges at the Freeport of Monrovia, where scheduling and berthing issues have cost importers over $15 million in demurrage charges in 2023. The Chamber sought the President’s support in expediting a meeting with the National Port Authority to resolve these challenges. Following a lengthy discussion on the subject, members of the delegation observed that they were prepared to invest in the expansion of the port’s infrastructure, and this may represent actualizing the government goal of public private cooperation.  

President Boakai welcomed the Chamber’s initiative and agreed to collaborate closely on these priorities. He expressed interest in recognizing resilient Liberian-owned businesses that have thrived despite challenges, underscoring their importance as pillars of the nation’s economy.

The meeting concluded with an invitation extended by the Chamber to President Boakai to visit its offices. During this visit, the Chamber plans to organize the inaugural business roundtable, bringing together representatives from the Chamber, the private sector, and the government, chaired by the President. President Boakai graciously accepted the invitation and expressed enthusiasm for finalizing the details to make the event a success.

Following these discussions, President Boakai warmly invited the delegation to lunch, where they engaged in further open and candid dialogue. The delegation expressed gratitude for the President's transparency and commitment to collaboration, highlighting their optimism about deepening engagements between the business community and the government.

For media inquiries, please contact: Mrs. Catherine H. Karmo

Secretary General, Liberia Chamber of Commerce

Tel: +231 88 680 0473

Email: catherine.karmo@liberiachamber.org