Pres. Boakai Wants Strong Ties with Indonesia -Craves for Exchange of Ambassadors

By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr.

MONROVIA – At the second edition of the Indonesia-Africa Forum attended by world leaders from Africa and the region, the Liberian leader, President Joseph N. Boakai has made a compelling case for deepening economy and diplomatic ties with Indonesia

   President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is among several leaders from Africa, Asia, and Europe in Indonesia attending the forum. The Liberian Chief Executive who was accompanied to that country by senior government officials including the Minister of Agricultural Minister was met on arrival by Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and the duo discussed development issues of bilateral concern.

   The discussions of the two presidents focused mainly on agricultural activities with the palm oil production, rice cultivation, and other development initiatives being key areas of their talks.

  During a bilateral conversation with President Widodo, President Boakai presented his ARREST Agenda, the strategic framework guiding Liberia’s development plans for the next six years, and informed the Indonesian leader that Liberia is closely following Indonesia’s progress in the country’s development agenda, saying that his administration  wants to incorporate similar strategies to advance Liberia’s own growth.

  President Boakai emphasized the importance of advancing the Liberian economy through strategic partnerships and investment, indicating that the Government of Liberia will elevate its operations by establishing a palm oil refinery in the country.

   This initiative, he said, aims to produce cooking oil, margarine, and other edible oils for both local consumption and international markets. He expressed confidence that under his leadership, the Liberian Government would meet its goals, provided that actors adhere to their commitments to the Liberian people.

  In a bid to strengthen bilateral relations, President Boakai proposed the exchange of resident ambassadors and the establishment of embassies in each of the two countries’ capital so as to intend to foster a closer relationship between Liberia and Indonesia.

      The President, calling for the exchange of resident ambassadors, also highlighted ongoing discussions with Indonesian officials about potential investments in Liberia, particularly in agriculture and the oil palm industry,  and assured his Indonesian counterpart that Indonesian investors would find a favorable environment in Liberia.

  The Liberian President then invited both the Indonesian government and private sector in that country to actively engage in assisting with the implementation of his government’s ARREST Agenda, an invitation he said would allow the visitors to come to focus on advancing Liberia’s economic development and creating job opportunities for its youth.

  President Boakai also called for Indonesian investment in Liberia’s banking sector, aiming to diversify and enhance its capabilities.

   The Liberian leader then expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage with Indonesian partners and reaffirmed his commitment to collaborative efforts in agriculture, oil palm development, and infrastructure.

  On the Indonesian side, the Country’s President Widodo, amongst other things, assured President Boakai of his country’s preparedness to elevate the bilateral relationship on an ambassadorial level.

 “You can be assured of the relationship by trusting us for the exchange of resident ambassadors for each country and embassies built in each country’s capital,” he said.