New York, November 19, 2025: The Consulate General of the Republic of Liberia near the bustling City of New York had an Investment and Economic Development meeting with the Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation, Mr. Dilip Chauhan, and Mr. Sebastian Sharma, the Director of Economic Development in the office of New York City Mayor. Professor Thomas Kaydor, Consul General of the Republic of Liberia in New York represented the Liberian Government at the meeting.
The meeting was convened as an acquaintance meeting between the Newly appointed Director of Economic Development, Mr. Sabastian Sharma and the Consulate General of the Republic of Liberia. In his new role, Director Sebastian Sharma will continue supporting the efforts of the New York City Cooperation to strengthen connections between Consul Generals and foreign diplomats, overseas businesses, trade missions or investment commissions, and the City’s economic development agencies.
The acquaintance meeting was joined by the Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Innovation in New York, Mr. Dilip Chauhan. It was also graced by Mr. Shaffiou Assoumanou, Strategic Relationships Director for Africa in the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs and his colleague Madam Eugenia Boateng, Strategic Relationships Associate in the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. The New York City team welcomed the opportunity to meet with Consul Generals and their trade commissioners or the individuals who oversee the trade portfolio at foreign diplomatic missions in the City of New York. The meeting afforded the New York City Team an opportunity to learn more about the Republic of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) that was presented by Dr. Kaydor, the Consul General.
Professor Kaydor clearly presented and enunciated Liberia’s National Development Agenda, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) indicating that Economic Diplomacy is now the fulcrum of Liberia’s Foreign Policy. Prof. Kaydor also emphasized the need for partnership between the New York Police Department, the New York Fire Service Department, the Education sector, the New York Transportation Department, and other relevant departments that the Republic of Liberia could accrue mutual benefits from.
The acquaintance meeting concluded on the note that the work of the Liberia Consulate General in partnership with the New York Trade and Economic Commission will explore ways through which both entities can collaborate to promote business, trade, investment and economic development between New York City and the Republic of Liberia for the mutual benefit of both parties.
