American Trade Mission Due in Liberia

The Trade and Investment Office (TIO) of the Embassy of Liberia in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Affairs of the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will lead a Trade Mission to Liberia commencing January 22-29, 2011. The mission will be the second of its kind since the TIO was established in March 2009.

The objective of the Trade Mission is to facilitate exploratory findings for Philadelphia businesses, US companies and individuals on how to gain access to the Liberian market to export goods and services. As a result of the previous mission, seven American entities obtained Business Licenses, and are reportedly on course to begin operation in the country early next year.

According to a dispatch from Washington quoting the Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs at the Liberian Embassy, Mr. Gabriel I.H. Williams, the trade mission will be accessing investment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, import and export, mining, forestry, manufacturing, rubber, tourism, oil exploration, as well as other small and medium-size businesses.

Additionally, during the visit, the City of Monrovia and the City of Philadelphia will formally establish a sister-city relationship, and a partnership agreement will be signed between the Port of Harper in Maryland County and the Port of Philadelphia.

Businesses, organizations and individuals wanting to travel with the trade mission to Liberia in January 2011 are urged to register with the Liberian Trade Mission Office in Philadelphia, PA or the office of the Mayor Commission in Philadelphia.

The Liberian Trade Mission Office and the Mayor Commission in Philadelphia will provide detailed information on arrangements regarding the trade mission to Liberia. The role of the Mayor Commission is to assist in finding suitable business partners, trade and investment opportunities particularly for Philadelphia businesses.

The Trade and Investment Office of the Embassy of Liberia, which is based in Philadelphia, PA, is focused on attracting investment to Liberia, as the Liberian Government seeks to increase private direct investment, spur the growth of small and medium-size businesses, create jobs, and expand the volume of imports and exports.