By Bill W. Cooper
India’s Deputy Minister at the Ministry for External Affairs, Sevala Naik Mude on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, toured the Jeety state-of-the-art Rubber LLC and Sala Rubber Corporation (SRC) situated in Weala, Margibi County.
Owned by Indian business tycoon, Upjit Singh Sachdeva alias Jeety, the visit of Mude who is also the additional Secretary for Central and West Africa, also underscored the strengthening ties between India and Liberia, particularly in the realm of investment and economic development.
However, the toured of the facilities commenced at the sprawling SRC rubber plantation located in Weala, where Deputy Minister Mude was greeted by Jeety, his staff and local traditional leaders of the county.
The plantation and factory, which spans over several hundred acres, is a testament to the growing Indian investment in Liberia’s agricultural sector.
The deputy minister was briefed on the various stages of rubber cultivation, from planting to harvesting, and the innovative techniques employed to enhance productivity.
During the tour, Mr. Mude expressed his admiration for Jeety’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and his role in boosting Liberia’s economy, noting, “Your investment here is not just about business; it is about creating jobs, empowering local communities, and contribution to the overall growth of Liberia.”
Deputy Minister Mude also highlighted the importance of foreign direct investment in developing countries, emphasizing that such initiatives are crucial for economic stability and growth.
Jeety, who has been a prominent figure in Liberia, has invested significantly in the country since he established his operations there.
His factory, which produces high-quality rubber products for both local and international markets, has created thousands of jobs for Liberians, contributing to the reduction of unemployment in the region.
The rubber factory, which employs over 1,000 workers, is worth US$44 million and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, with straight adherence to international standards of production of rubber products.
Also, during the tour, Mude was shown the various processes involved in rubber production, including the extraction of latex, processing, and packaging while Jeety’s commitment to corporate social responsibility was also highlighted during the visit.
The factory has initiated several community developments programs, including educational scholarships for local children, healthcare initiatives, schools, and infrastructure development in some camps of SRC.
The Indian Diploma at the same time commended these efforts, stating, “It is heartening to see a business leader who understands the importance of giving back to the community. Your initiatives are paving the way for a brighter future for many Liberians.”
He urged Jeety and other business leaders to adopt environmentally friendly practices that would not only benefit their businesses but also contribute to the preservation of Liberia’s rich biodiversity.
Jeety assured the deputy minister of his commitment to sustainable practices, stating, “We are dedicated to ensuring that our operations are environmentally friendly. We believe that responsible business practices are essential for the long-term success of our investments and the well-being of the communities we serve and worked.”
He added, “Today’s visit has reinforced my belief that together, we can achieve great things. The partnership between India and Liberia is not just about trade; it is about building a shared future for both nations.”
It can be recalled Jeety, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jeety Rubber LLC, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, legally and officially toke over the ownership of the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in September of this year, thus increasing his workforce by 900 Liberians.
Even though no fixed price has so far been attached to the purchase, Jeety Rubber LLC won the bid for SRC’s 4,400-hectare natural rubber plantation against the Firestone Liberia and a former shareholder of the Socfinaf Group.
The Socfinaf S.A., which owned SRC is Liberia’s fourth-largest rubber-producing and processing company, as it produces semi-processed rubber used in the manufacture of tires.
The company was formed in July of 2007 through the merger of a stand-alone rubber processing factory (Weala Rubber Company) and a stand-alone rubber plantation (formerly Salala Rubber Corporation).
Before the sale of the company, SRC had for years been accused by its workers, Green Advocates, and other international rights groups of poor working conditions and causing significant harm to local communities, including land grabbing, environmental degradation, and human rights abuses.
Also, SRC, one of the country’s biggest rubber companies, shut down and laid off its entire workforce of about 900 workers after days of violent protests, leaving the company’s operations paralyzed about two months ago.
However, the laid-off workers, according to the company, had received end-of-service benefits in accordance with Liberian law. Also, Jeety Rubber LLC, which is also based in Weala, the same as SRC, buys and processes rubber into finished and semi-finished products, including TSR 10, for shipment, but it has struggled of late to buy enough latex cup lumps to operate its factory at full capacity, but the addition of SRC has now seen that struggles eradicated.
