GEF boss lauds Sime Darby

The Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of Global Environmental Facility, (Gef) Noako Ishii, lauds Malaysian oil palm giant, Sime Darby Plantation Liberia for its operations in the country.

According to her, she is impressed about the operations of the company. “I am deeply impressed about the company trying to do the right things within a relatively short period amidst the many constraints faced by the company,” Madam Ishii says during a day’s visit at the plantation last week.

She was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of Conversation International M. Sanjayan, and some representatives of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

She had gone to see in person, the operations of the company and how her organization can partner with SDPL in realizing its objectives in Liberia. “Because we have heard a lot about the workings of the company, we thought it wise to come and see what the company is actually doing here in the country. Because you know they always say that seeing is believing, so we thought to come and get first-hand information,” Madam Ishii says.

According to her, it is a good learning opportunity that would enable her think about her group. Sime Darby Cooperate Communication Manager, Toushi Itoka briefed the delegation of the overall operations of SDPL.

She explains the company has a land bank of over a million hectors and operates in 17 countries around the world, including Liberia. The company in 2009 signed sixty-three years (63yrs) concession agreement with the Government of Liberia to develop over 220,000 hectors of land within four counties here: Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu and Bong, respectively. Currently, it focuses on two counties; Grand Cape Mount and Bomi counties.

Noako Ishii, Gef CEO-Editing by Jonathan Browne