-Ahead of UK Liberia Trade Forum
London-The Government of the United Kingdom has recommitted its continued engagement with Liberia- emphasizing education, health and sustainable development, the Liberian Embassy here says.
The UK Minister for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Harriet Baldwin outlined development aid and private sector financing that continue to shape the United Kingdom support for Liberia.
A press release from Liberia’s mission said Minister Baldwin was speaking on Tuesday when she hosted Liberian Ambassador accredited to London, Mrs. Gurly T. Gibson,
Madam Baldwin indicated that the United Kingdom remains dedicated to its annual development support to Liberia, along with another 40 million pounds through the Global Partnership for Education.
The UK export finance coordinates trade hovering around 50 Million Pounds-providing the guarantee to expand trade with Liberia.
Minister Baldwin said the United Kingdom is moving to expand its trade and development partnership – seeking to become the biggest investor in Africa from the G7 Group of wealthy nations.
According to the UK top official for Africa, her government support for sustainable development is another major policy area. Consequently, it has also earmarked 7 Billion for International climate change finance.
This will support polices that deliver clean power, solar energy for rural communities- inspiring growth and development.
She also pledged the UK government support to the upcoming UK – Liberia trade forum. The forum will drive trade and benefit the Liberian economy. Minister Baldwin mentioned the UK government’s support for similar event held by the government of Sierra Leone in London.
Speaking earlier, the ambassador of Liberia accredited to London, Amb. Gurly Gibson said the United Kingdom remains a strategic partner to Liberia’s institutional development and democratic transformation.
Amb. Gibson hailed efforts to increase the number of Chevening scholarship to Liberian students-stressing the crucial need for trained manpower.
Amb. Gibson spoke of the need to increase the focus on healthcare in Liberia-inspired by support from key development partners like the United Kingdom.
“She said for example the U.K could take a hospital, and have it brought to the standard where equipment, medical supplies and trained doctors are in place – stressing this will also boost investors’ confidence”.
The Liberian top diplomat made the case for linkages between health professionals in the United Kingdom and key facilities in Liberia, including the JFK.
Ambassador Gibson also spoke of the need to introduce the program SheTrade that is implemented in other African countries (i.e Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria) to help boost the role of Liberian women in international trade.
She commended the British Ambassador accredited to Monrovia (David Balgrove MBE) also present at the meeting, for leading the UK presence in Liberia.