Monrovia, Liberia: President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has delivered a “special message” at the close of the 8th West African Monetary Zone Eight Trade Ministers’ Forum held in Monrovia and congratulated Ministers for successful deliberations.

President Sirleaf expressed joy that even though, sometimes ago Liberia did not meet the Protocols for hosting such international meetings, the fact that Liberia can now be in the position to host such meetings, means that the country is making progress.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the remarks on Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Close of the 8^th West African Monetary Zone Trade Ministers’ Forum held at Boulevard Palace in Sinkor, Monrovia, where the three-day meeting took place.

President Sirleaf used the occasion to commend heads of the West African Monetary Institute for recommending that, given what they have seen Liberia will be given the opportunity to host more meetings of this nature.

“I want to say a very big thank you to the Head of the West African Monetary Institute from the Gambia, delegates from the West African Sub-Region Zone for coming to Liberia for three days of deliberations that concluded on Friday.

She applauded Liberia’s Commerce & Industry Minister, Axel M. Addy for hosting the meeting so successfully, to the point where delegates from neighboring countries heaped praises on him for hosting three-day of successful meeting.

The Liberian leader assured delegates at the meeting that following careful review of their final report, the country will be doing everything in its power to ensure that progress is made in that direction. She then challenged the Ministry of Commerce to ensure that Liberia exports goods and services to other Member States of the West African Monetary Zone like our counterparts are doing similarly.

Earlier, the Director General of West African Monetary Institute Abwaku Englama said the three-day of deliberations was characterized by frank discussions and openness.

Also making remarks at the close of the meeting was the President of ECOWAS Commission H.E. Marcel Alain de Souza of Republic of Benin – who assured delegates at the meeting that beginning now, he will ensure that more meetings of such natures are held in Liberia, to encourage more economic cooperation.

For his part, Commerce Minister Axel Addy said the theme for this year’s Forum: “Opportunities for Development Through Regional Trade Integration”   represents Liberia’s overarching objective of trade-led economic growth and development by following an industrial policy of the 21^st century focused on agri-processing and manufacturing.

The Meeting was attended by senior government officials including Ministers of Trade and Commerce from Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria among others.

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

EXECUTIVE MANSION

MONROVIA, LIBERIA   

  Office of the Press Secretary to the President