President Joseph N. Boakai recently hosted a dinner for a high-profile South Korean investment delegation, highlighting Liberia’s commitment to fostering international partnerships, particularly in agriculture.
During the event, President Boakai expressed his gratitude to the delegation for their interest in Liberia, emphasizing the strong ties between the two nations.
He noted that the visit was not just about potential investments but also a testament to the growing friendship between Korea and Liberia.
“Liberia has vast, fertile land suitable for a wide range of crops, including cassava, which we primarily use for fufu, gari, and other traditional products,” President Boakai remarked.
The South Korean delegation, led by their Chairman, visited several parts of Liberia, including Margibi and Grand Bassa counties, with a focus on exploring opportunities in cassava production and processing.
The Chairman expressed interest in establishing a cassava processing facility in Liberia to address the country’s limited processing capacity, which has hampered local farmers’ ability to market their produce.
Currently, 800 acres of cassava are under cultivation across four counties, with efforts concentrated on organizing farmers, particularly women and youth, into smaller production units.
A pilot project near Kakata has seen successful cultivation of high-starch cassava varieties, supported by the visiting delegation.
The Chairman also showed interest in Liberia’s hot pepper industry, recognizing its potential for export to Korea. Plans are underway to expand pepper production in partnership with local farmers, aiming to tap into the Korean market.
Beyond agriculture, discussions extended to potential collaborations in the fisheries sector and maritime training.
The Chairman revisited an earlier proposal to train Liberian youth at Korea’s Maritime Training Institute, with plans now being formalized through a memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
During their visit, the delegation also assessed key infrastructure sites, including the special agriculture processing zone (SAPZ) in the port city of Buchanan and the Freeport of Monrovia, evaluating potential areas for future investment.
Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuattae, who provided an overview of the delegation’s visit, expressed optimism about the prospects for increased Korean investment in Liberia.
He emphasized the importance of this visit in paving the way for further collaborations between the two nations, particularly in the agricultural sector.
This engagement follows President Boakai’s recent trip to South Korea, where he attended the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul.
The summit provided a platform for Liberia to showcase its investment potential and explore opportunities for support in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, tourism, and technology.
President Boakai’s participation at the summit and his continued efforts to strengthen ties with global partners underscore Liberia’s commitment to driving economic progress and improving livelihoods through strategic international collaborations.
