Monrovia – President George Manneh Weah has met in audience a visiting delegation of Shangyou Wood Industries.
The visit took place on Friday, March 16, 2018 at President Weah’s Foreign Affairs Office and was geared towards exploring the possibility for the construction of a rubber wood furniture plant in Liberia.
When successful, the plant will produce close to 1,200 jobs for Liberians within the first phase of the project.
President Weah welcomed the Chinese delegation and commended them for their interest in investing in Liberia. He expressed the hope that such investment would create jobs for Liberians and serve as a catalyst to his pro-poor agenda.
The Liberian leader informed the Chinese delegation that while his government remains opened to foreign investments, the well-being of Liberians and the need for fair labor practice remain cardinal to his pro-poor initiatives. President Weah climaxed the meeting by informing the Chinese delegation to work with the necessary government entities to ensure that their investment proposal becomes fruitful.
The Chinese delegation was led by its Chairman Liu Hong. He said after thorough assessment, they believe rubber wood could play an active role in promoting economic and trade cooperation between China and Liberia.
The Chinese delegation, which is from Nankang City, Jiangxi Province and also China’s largest rubber wood consumer market intimated that their preliminary assessment shows that while Liberia has rich rubber wood resources, it lacks financing, processing equipment, and modern technology, and as a result of these, the rubber resources are not effectively used.
The Nankang City, Jiangxi Province-based company noted that their company has a strong financial strength, advanced processing equipment and technology; as well as scientific and a realistic business plan.
The visiting Chinese delegation was accompanied by Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. McKinley Thomas.