Rabat, Morocco – Liberia’s Mission in the Kingdom of Morocco has achieved a record landmark achievement that has successfully brought to end what seemed far from realizing the waiver of entry visa for exclusively official and diplomatic passport holders of the Government of the Republic of Liberia led by His Excellency, President George Manneh Weah.
Ambassador Williams says Liberia stands to benefit for a 10-year Port Modernization plan from prospective Moroccan investors that will improve access, high quality and on-time service delivery that would lead to job creation for thousands of Liberia who will also be trained in multiple port management skills. He said the effective use of modern seaports in Liberia will make the country much more attractive and competitive as neighborring countries.
According to a dispatch from Rabat, Morocco, officials of the Liberian government are now spared the inconvenience that has often greeted them at the hands of Moroccan Immigration personnel performing their duties at Port of entry. Liberia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom, Richelieu A. Williams said the sticky issue of visa waiver for senior government officials became a priority barely 72 hours after he present his Letter to Credence to His Royal Highness of the Kingdom, Mohammed VI.
Williams said, the milestone was indicative of a compelling preoccupation and commitment as Ambassador of Liberia to lead the charge aimed at bringing serious relief to what has been and embarrassing situation of the period. He said he was delighted that a productive Joint Cooperation Agreement finally resolved the matter.
Also to the remarkable credit of the Liberian Envoy, the existing Bilateral Scholarship Program, which has since its creation brought immense benefits to desirous Liberian students pursuing various disciplines.
Currently, there are 85 Liberian students studying under the auspices of the program that are accounted for by the Government of Liberia through the Mission. It can be recalled that since the takeover of Moroccan Mission by His Excellency Ambassador Richelieu Archibald Williams to the Kingdom of Morocco, the scholarship has been dramatically augmented from the usual quota of 36 to 65 through the instrumentality of His Excellency Ambassador Williams in 2018. So far, the Government of Liberia is footing the bills of 18 of the scholarship beneficiaries.
As far as academic year 2018/2019 is concerned, 54 Liberian students were dispatched to Morocco as beneficiaries of the Scholarship Program to pursue various disciplines in keeping with the following categories – 34 students are pursuing undergraduate studies under the program; and 20 students were enrolled into the TVET program. The Mission has swiftly intervened on behalf of 10 TVET students who will be upgraded in order to get integrated into the undergraduate program. On the overall, during the period under review, the Embassy registered 85 qualified Liberians students. The Ambassador further recognized scholarship support in the form of Air Traffic Control logistics to include a state of the art medical facility to enhance air transport serviceability.
Major achievements highlighted by the Moroccan Mission include among others – the establishment of a network among diplomatic missions and relevant agencies and authorities to raise interest in Liberia‘s investment climate trade and economic policies; the agreement on the Promotion ad Reciprocal and protection of Investment; convention on the avoidance of double taxation; the agreement on visa exemption for holders of Diplomatic, Service and official/ special passports; Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of the Political Consultation Mechanism; Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Diplomatic Training; the Agreement in the Field of Merchant shipping; the Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Driving Licenses; Cooperation Agreement in the field of Higher Education, Training Programs and Learning visits, Cooperation Agreement in the field of Vocational Training; and undertaking on the Recognition of Training and Certification of Seafarers
Also in the works, Are ongoing negotiations with Moroccan and Middle Eastern investors to commence a regional airline with a view to easing air transport deficit facing the Mano River Basin and the sub-region. A well-researched business proposal has been submitted to investors that is being reviewed by the respective Board of Directors to jumpstart the airline. Once started, the Mano River Union Members States will ensure free movement of goods and services let alone hundreds of jobs for the citizens of the region.
Meanwhile, the Mission then extended utmost acknowledgment the Minister and entire family of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Ministry of education for their relentless support and cooperation towards the achievement of our collective priorities.