Pres. Sirleaf holds lunch meeting with Arab Bank delegation

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has held talks with the Director General of the Board of Governors of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah on Thursday. The President and a select number of Government officials also participated in a Working Lunch with the Bank’s delegation.

An Executive Mansion release said, the lunch meeting reviewed the Bank’s support to projects and sectors in Liberia and new options for developmental engagement with the government of Liberia and private sector. Emphasis was placed on engagement and support for small and medium-size enterprise (SMEs) through the commercial banking sector.

The exchanges also focused on agricultural, health, education, and infrastructural sectors including ports, roads, and energy among others. On the agricultural front, key interest was given to the oil palm, rubber, tree corps and fisheries sectors.

The lunch meeting also sought views on youth employment, women’s empowerment, women’s rights and other cross-cutting issues. In a related development, President Sirleaf on Thursday chaired a special meeting of the Liberia Development Alliance (LDA). The LDA Meeting which was attended mainly by international partners and donors discussed resource mobilization and adequate funding toward the 2017 Representatives and Presidential Elections. There are currently funding gaps that the LDA is seeking to address.

President Sirleaf reminded the partners and donors that the 2017 elections are the most important priority for Liberia because it will determine the maturity of the country’s democracy and ensure continuous peace and stability. She therefore encouraged the partners and donors to commit themselves to supporting the 2017 elections.

Earlier on Thursday, a Brazilian artist, Luiz Dolino presented a special artistic work representing the flag of the Republic of Liberia to the Liberian leader at her Foreign Ministry office.