By Grace Q. Bryant
The head of the Political and Economic Governance Cooperation at the European Union (EU), Anna Brzozowska, has disclosed that the European Union has allotted US$25 million Euros to support the Liberia Special Economic Zone in creating jobs.
Madam Brzozowska made the disclosure yesterday at a one day Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority (LSIZA) Stakeholders Engagement under the theme; ‘Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today’ in Monrovia.
The Liberia Special Economic Zone Authority manages all the special economic zones and has the power to designate a specific geographic setting as a special zone to facilitate trade, manufacturing and create jobs.
The program brought together government officials, international partners including United States Agency for International Development, African Development Bank, World Bank, International Finance Corporation and organizations from across the country.
Madam Brzozowska said the funding will be able to improve lives by creating jobs and helping the economy.
“Liberia is a peaceful country to attract investment and there is a great opportunities for a new development plan,” she disclosed.
She revealed that EU has similar objectives to economic governance and creation of jobs as well as economic growth for Liberia and will help Liberia attract investors as the EU remains committed to help Liberia protect its natural environment.
She said as part of the EU efforts to promote education, it is supporting TVET education in agriculture and is also helping to improve the lives of women and at-risk youths to contribute to economic growth while she is also concerned with helping to improve the business climate and create value addition to fishery and farming.
The Executive Chairman, Prince Wreh, highlighted the history of LSEZA and thanked development partners, government institutions and stakeholders for their support towards economic transformation in Liberia.
He mentioned that the engagement was geared toward fostering partnerships, addressing key issues and laying the groundwork for the development of special economic zones in Liberia and as well stressed that future collaborations and engagements are expected to further advance economic growth and development in the country.
Wreh said the essence of highlighting President Tolbert’s speech was to showcase how the processes involved in reaching the establishment of the zone this far and show as if his vision.
Labor Minister Cooper Kruah said the special economic free zone is important for Liberia and whatever need to be done to improve the economic for government is important.
He urged the authority to reach out to more partners and to share more information to the public on activities of the Economic Free Zone noting that the free zone authority has been dormant for a long time and the need to reactivate its activities is essential.
The Deputy Office Director Agriculture, Food Security and Private Development of the USAID Joe-Hoover Gbadyu said that USAID support the establishment of the authority and has been working to ensure that the authority is establishment, which is a dream come true.
He urged actors to support activities of the Liberia Special Economic Zones Authority and to ensure that its mandate is implemented to the fullest.
