The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) played a pivotal role in the just-ended Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Conference and Trade Fair, which concluded on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
CENTAL, known for its dedication to promoting transparency and accountability, co-chaired the Awards Committee that independently vetted and selected 15 Liberian-owned businesses to receive cash and non-cash prizes. The event, organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and its partners, was a critical milestone in supporting innovative and high-performing businesses in Liberia.
The MSME Conference and Trade Fair, which brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government institutions, the private sector, donor partners, civil society organizations, and business leaders, highlighted the critical role of small businesses in driving economic growth and job creation in Liberia.
The event served as an opportunity to recognize and reward businesses that have demonstrated excellence and innovation, with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry providing cash and non-cash prizes to the awardees.
CENTAL’s involvement in the conference and awards process was a testament to its commitment to ensuring transparency in Liberia’s business sector. The 15 selected businesses, which were chosen based on a rigorous vetting process, were recognized for their creativity, potential for growth, and impact on the local economy. These businesses, representing a diverse cross-section of Liberia’s entrepreneurial spirit, will now have access to the resources and recognition needed to scale up their operations.
Mr. Anderson D. Miamen, the Executive Director of CENTAL, shared his thoughts on the event in a statement posted on his Facebook page. He expressed pride in CENTAL’s role in the conference and trade fair, emphasizing the importance of accountability in the business and commerce sectors. “We are happy to have been a part of the conference and trade fair, which brought together government institutions, the private sector, Liberian businesses, donors, partners, civil society, and other stakeholders in the commerce sector of Liberia,” said Miamen.
He further stressed that the businesses that received awards should use their newfound resources wisely to improve and expand their operations, benefiting the broader Liberian economy. “We hope that recipients of the cash and other prizes will wisely use them to improve and scale up their businesses, as they play key roles in creating jobs and livelihood opportunities for many,” Miamen noted.
CENTAL’s Executive Director underscored the importance of mainstreaming accountability in business practices. He explained that a transparent and robust process was essential in the selection of the awardees and in ensuring that businesses uphold high standards of integrity and good governance. “Mainstreaming accountability is critical to the business and commerce sector; we are happy to have joined forces with others to host a largely successful conference, especially carrying out a transparent and robust process that selected the awardees,” Miamen added.
The MSME Conference and Trade Fair, alongside the awards, provided a platform for Liberian businesses to showcase their products and services to a wide range of potential customers and partners. It was also an opportunity to highlight the challenges small businesses face in Liberia, such as limited access to finance, infrastructure issues, and the need for enhanced technical skills and capacity building. The conference underscored the importance of creating a favorable environment for entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development by addressing these challenges and supporting high-performing businesses.
As Liberia continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its economic foundations, events like the MSME Conference are vital in fostering resilience and innovation. The recognition of outstanding businesses at the event rewards their achievements and encourages other entrepreneurs to invest in their growth and contribute to Liberia’s overall development.
Mr. Miamen’s comments reflect CENTAL’s mission of promoting transparency, good governance, and accountability across all sectors of society, including business and commerce. By ensuring that the process of awarding prizes was fair and transparent, CENTAL reinforced the importance of these values in creating a more robust and equitable business environment in Liberia.
The successful conclusion of the MSME Conference and Trade Fair represents a significant step forward for Liberia’s small businesses, offering them the recognition and resources they need to grow and thrive. With CENTAL’s ongoing commitment to accountability and transparency, it is hoped that Liberia’s business sector will continue to evolve, providing opportunities for job creation, innovation, and sustainable economic growth in the years to come.
