By S. Siapha Mulbah
The National Chairperson of the Patriotic Entrepreneurs of Liberia (PATEL), Dominic Nimely, has advanced on pushing the interest of Liberian-owned businesses to the newly elected president of the Republic of Liberia, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Nimely, also chairing Trade and Commerce at the Liberia Business Association (LIBA), called on the president-elect and his incoming government to venture into suitable collaboration with the Liberian business community in breaking the barriers confronting Liberian-owned businesses from smooth operations across the country.
Addressing a news conference in Monrovia, the businessman lauded the outgoing President, George Manneh Weah, for conducting and leading the country to a transparent and peaceful election process as the nation gears towards another peaceful transition after six years.
According to him, there is now a need for President-elect Boakai to seek the full implementation of the Liberianization policy, making it possible for local businesses to be given their exclusive rights under the law. He stressed that foreign businesses are dominating the country’s economy.
The businessman said Liberian business owners are currently marching to Zion seeking betterment in the sector with prospect, judging from the fact that the Vice president-elect is a business tycoon who understands the plight of local operators of businesses in all parts of the country.
He disclosed that at a meeting with the President-elect and members of the leadership team of the incoming government, Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai committed his government’s willingness to working with Liberian-owned businesses, so that the economy can take the most positive trend in the interest and control of Liberians.
“We see it as a positive start for the Liberian business community and Liberian owned businesses, following a meeting with the President-elect, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, where he committed to working with Liberians. This government, with the commitment from the president, is a good start, and we are hopeful that the days of being spectators in our own economy are about to be over,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Business Association, through its Chairperson on Trade and Commerce, has seen the need to retract its last 90-day ultimatum issued before the election, which was aimed at pressuring the elected government from the October 10, 2023 polls to do the needful for Liberian businesses.
The ultimatum then issued by the business community, presented several counts for whoever wins the election to address in 90 days, including the full implementation of the Liberianization policy, retailer rights, and others.
He said, “We are retracting this ultimatum we issued in order to give the government time to sit down and start the forward march of the country. There are other major challenges that the government is set to work around so the ultimatum will not be the focus of this incoming government.”
