World Bank VP pledges support to Liberia

World Bank Vice President, MakhtarDiop, has assured Liberiaof continuous support to its Agenda for Transformation (AfT) and Economic Stabilization and Recovery Plan (ESRP), with special emphasis on the Agriculture Sector.

Mr. Diop acknowledged the remarkable leadership demonstrated by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at both the national and regional levels, during the Ebola Crisis.
He also extolled the Liberian leader for her manifold contribution towards the new global agenda – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Apress release issued here by the Finance Ministry says the World Bank Vice President made these comments Wednesday, October 7,when Finance Minister Amara M. Konneh, met with him on the margins of the Bank’s Annual Meetings along with the International Monetary Fund in Lima, Peru.

Both officials discussed the current state of the Liberian economy as well as support by the Bank to Liberia’s medium-term development strategy, the Agenda for Transformation (AfT) and the Economic Stabilization and Recovery Plan (ESRP).

During the engagement, Konneh showcased progress made so far in the implementation of the 5-year development agenda and stressed the need for the Bank to accelerate its support through timely disbursement of funds against outstanding commitments to enhance economic recovery, sustainable growth and development in Liberia.

Agriculture was an area singled out by the Minister for additional support, giving its huge potential for employment and real GDP growth.  He also highlighted the importance of energy, roads, health, and education in the country’s development process and thanked the Bank for its strong support during the Ebola crisis.

Konneh also emphasized the need for additional resources from development partners, through diverse windows of financing, including the International Development Association (IDA).
The Liberian Government delegation accompanying Minister Konneh to Peru include: Deputy Governor Boima S. Kamara, Central Bank of Liberia (CBL); Dr. MounirSiaplay, and Deputy Minister for Economic

anagement, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Mr. John B. S Davies III, President and CEO, Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), and Mr. Bernard Jappah, Public Financial Management Reforms Coordinator at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.