Business

Weah says Nigeria-Liberia trade ‘too low’

149

President George Weah of Liberia has described as too low, the current trade volume between both countries estimated to be at $5 million.

“Liberia is now open for business to the Nigerian private sector. There is a need to address the current volume of trade between our two countries, which is very low and does not exceed $5 million, by some estimates, he said in Abuja on Monday.

“Yet, the Liberian banking sector is dominated by Nigerian banks, and I am made to understand that their head offices in Nigeria may be considering reducing their support or even shutting them down because of the recent downturn in our economy. If this is true, l urge them not to do so, as l am optimistic that trade and commerce will increase in the near future.

“There are also major shortcomings in the electricity and power sectors, in road construction, in housing, in mining, and in fisheries, to name a few, that could be of serious interest to Nigerian investors, either as individuals or companies, or through joint-ventures or public-private partnerships.”

Weah, who spoke during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, admitted that his country’s economy was dwindling but will need Nigeria’s private sector to remain afloat.

He also appealed to Nigerian banks thinking of closing shop in Liberia because of the dwindling economy, not to do so as his administration has plans to revamp the economy that  will benefit investors in the country.

The Liberian leader said his administration’s ‘Pro-Poor Development Agenda’, intends to tackle the many economic and social problems he  inherited, especially infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, and reviving the education, agriculture, mining and health sectors, for which Nigeria’s assistance would be greatly appreciated.

“Your sustained technical assistance for capacity building in these sectors is most welcome. For example, Nigerian teachers and medical volunteers to Liberia, under the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Agreement with Liberia, have been very crucial in boosting capacity development in Liberia, and it is my hope that this assistance can be considerably increased to address with urgency our most pressing socio-economic needs at this time.

“More specifically, under the Bilateral Teacher Exchange program, we are seeking 6,000-plus teachers to make up for the shortage of good teachers in our educational system.

“In agriculture, we are seeking experts and extension workers to build capacity in the sector, particularly with crops, (such as cassava, for example,) which lend themselves readily to value- added propositions and export earning potential”,  he said.

Weah thanked Nigeria for restoring peace to Liberia and helping reform Liberian military after the country’s civil war. He was equally appreciative that “although yours is the largest economy in Africa, with the most powerful army in our sub-region, you have never used your wealth and military prowess to expand your territory, threaten your neighbors, or de-stabilize any sovereign nation in the region.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Updated: We raised interest rate to 24.75 percent to fight inflation – CBN

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)...

Don’t sell dollar above N1,269, CBN orders Bureau de Change

As part of measures to strengthen the naira against the dollar, the...

Dangote set to disburse N15bln food items to 774 LGAs to cushion harsh economic conditions

Nigerian businessman and industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote says he has allocated N15...

Naira strengthens to N1400/$ at parallel market as speculators sell

The naira strengthened on Wednesday to close at N1400/$1 in the parallel...

Just In: Zenith Bank names Adaora Umeoji as its first female Group Managing Director

The Board Directors of Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment the...

Nigerian Business Community to FG: Use Ghana Trade Office to solve our problems

The Nigerian business community in Ghana has urged the federal government to...

Heirs Holdings tells story of transformational investment in Africa, launches its first-ever TV commercial

Heirs Holdings has launched its first-ever television commercial (TVC), showcasing the company’s...

Aig-Imoukhuede, co-founder, returns to Access Holdings as Chairman

Access Holdings PIc has announced the return of Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as...

CBN to sanction MfBs over late non-rendition of statutory monthly returns

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all microfinance banks (MfBs)...

In a great leap forward, Heirs Holdings launches Heirs Technologies, set to lead Africa’s digital evolution

Heirs Holdings, a leading African investment company dedicated to improving lives and...

Transcorp Group announces listing of Transcorp Power Plc by introduction on Nigerian Exchange’s Main Board March 4

Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) wishes to announce the listing of its...

CBN to sell N1.64trn Treasury bills in Q2 2024

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it will sell Treasury...

Nigeria lacks sufficient reserves to tackle FX demands, backlog in the market, says expert

An economist, Mr. Esili Eigbe, has said Nigeria lacked sufficient reserves to...

CBN to sell dollar at N1,301 to authorized BDC

In its bid to increase liquidity, strengthen the naira, and curb distortion...

Economic hardship: Elumelu to partner MOFI to boost economy

Nigerian philanthropist and Chairman of Heirs Holdings Group, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has...

NSA, CBN join forces to curb illicit activities in forex market

In its bid to strengthen Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, the Office of...

CBN stops dollar cash payments for BTA, PTA

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced that it will no...

Wigwe’s death: Access Holdings appoints Bolaji Agbede its Ag. CEO

Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as...

We must moderate our demands for forex, says Cardoso

The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso,...

NNPCL, CBN partner for seamless banking operations

In their bid to foster transparency and seamless commercial operations, the Nigerian...