The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Commerce and Industries has disclosed an agenda to support a local industry where Liberians will play causal roles and be involved with the development of the sector.
Speaking Monday, July 22, 2024, on ELBC Radio, Minister of Commerce and Industries Amin Modad said when he took office as minister, the entity reached out to companies to understand the constraints they go through on a daily basis.
He said the ministry made companies to understand that they as local manufacturers have important responsibilities, and negotiated with them to make Liberians distributors if the company sells wholesale; it was during this time that Cemenco agreed to build cement training center for Liberians, while SETI Brothers is gearing up to build a rehabilitation center for disadvantaged youth based on the same agreement.
According to him, the ministry has also agreed with companies to reduce prices on commodities, indicating that he has met with countries that produce rice including India and China while regularizing Liberia’s membership with other international organizations.
Meanwhile, Minister Modad has revealed that over the last three months, the ministry uncovered some irregularities at several food manufacturing companies in the country ranging from sale of expired goods to improper packaging.
He said the ministry is also conducting inspection on alcoholic beverage companies, noting that they will ensure these companies are regulated and meet the rightful standards to produce these consumable beverages. “This is a new government; we are not in the habit of making things hard for businesspeople but will not take the safety of our people lightly,” he said.
Minister Modad said his leadership will do everything in its power to protect the market and its people, while at the same calling on all Liberians to value natural resources which have the potential to develop the capacity to produce the country’s basic needs.
