Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Ngafuan has highlighted the vital role the business community plays in increasing the country’s revenue generation, ensuring that the government reach its target.
Minister Ngafuan spoke recently when they chaired a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Freeport of Monrovia, bringing together key players from the business sector to discuss operational bottlenecks and identify immediate solutions.
Ngafuan also emphasized that, for Liberia’s economy to thrive through effective revenue generation, it is crucial to tackle the challenges facing the business sector, and noted, “We have a Budget, and we need to raise the revenue over twelve months, and the business community is a key partner in this endeavor.”
The Minister also explained that the stakeholders’ meeting was a follow-up to initial discussions with the private sector held in October of the previous year, noting, “The private sector is the engine of growth for Liberia’s economy.”
Focusing on the Freeport of Monrovia, Minister Ngafuan further described the NPA as the “gateway to the country’s economy,” and stressed that overcoming these challenges will be critical for sustained economic growth.
Minister Ngafuan added, “To ensure they can effectively drive economic development, we must also foster consistent communication and a conducive environment for business prosperity across Liberia and that’s exactly what President Joseph is committed to doing.”
In her remarks, Commerce and Industry Minister, Marthaline Dagoseh, expressed the government’s deep concern about trade issues, recognizing the importance of ongoing dialogue with the business community.
She noted that in previous meetings with groups such as the Liberia Business Association, Liberia Chamber of Commerce, and Liberia Marketing Association, one recurring issue has been the tariff system at the Port.
Minister Dagoseh added, “I hope that through these discussions, we will find practical solutions to address the concerns and develop a clear path forward for collaboration between the government and the private sector.”
For his part, the National Port Authority (NPA) Managing Director Sekou Dukuly also underscored the significance of stakeholder engagement, calling it an essential component of their work at the port.
He added that the NPA has a comprehensive trade facilitation package for the year, but continuous engagement with relevant stakeholders is necessary to resolve emerging challenges across Liberia.
Meanwhile, Representatives from the business community shared their concerns during the meeting, addressing issues such as customs duties, tariffs, and other challenges affecting their various businesses.
