Commerce and Industry (MoCI) Minister Amin Modad is calling for concerted agenda and effective coordination among policy makers and development partners in tackling issues that are affecting Liberia’s business climate.

Minister Modad named the factors as access to finance, inadequate technology, poor infrastructure and unskilled workforce. The Commerce and Industry Minister also   named prices of goods and commodities, global financial trends, climate, etc, as some of the factors. He said such challenges impact the Liberian economy variably, depending on which side each person stands.

Minister Modad warned that unless there is a concerted agenda and effective coordination involving all policy makers and development partners to change the business environment in the next 2 years, national   aspirations and efforts may be a failure. He said everything policy makers and development partners do to transform the socio-economic environment in Liberia rests on empowering Liberian entrepreneurs, small and large, along the value chains linked to the country’s comparative advantages.

He mentioned that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s   agenda rests on agricultural value chain and empowering Liberian entrepreneurship, an idea minister Modad continues to commit himself to since assuming duties at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He observed that while Liberia might not be able to directly address the external issues, there are a few critical ones that can be addressed and influenced.

“Our agenda at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is to take responsibility to address these issues across the government. I assure you; you will see and feel many changes in how we do business and our commitment to fostering an inclusive, balanced, and competitive private sector led economy,” Minister Modad added.

He expressed the Commerce Ministry’s commitment to working along with relevant partners, particularly the needed support that enhances success.

The Commerce and Industry Minister made the statement this week at AFREXIMBANK Liberia Trade Road Show, organized by the African Export-Import and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Monrovia. The program was held in partnership with Oakwood Green Africa, HAVIT Inc. and LOITA Capital.