Editorial: US Ambassador Michael McCarthy Challenges Government To Remove The Barriers To Investment

By Hot Pepper Last updated Jun 7, 2023

THE MINISTER OF Foreign Affairs, H.E. Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., recently disclosed that the Liberian government has opened six Liberian Passport Application Centers outside Liberia in Chicago, Los Angeles, Pretoria in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya, Melbourne in Australia, and New Delhi in India.

MINISTER KEMAYAH SAID the developments at the Ministry as it regards reform initiatives being undertaken are to ensure efficiency and effectiveness at various levels. “One of the key reform measures is in connection with providing efficient and expeditious services to Liberians in the diaspora wanting to acquire passports.”

NOW UNITED STATES Ambassador, Michael McCarthy, is challenging Foreign Minister Kemayah to extend the reform agenda of the Foreign Ministry to the incorporation of visa flexibility at Liberian embassies and consulates overseas to enable Liberia to attract the needed foreign investments.

AMBASSADOR MCCARTHY TOLD journalists during his visit at the Jeety Rubber Factory in Cinta, Weala, Margibi County on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 that if the Liberian government can introduce a visa upon arrival at the airport or reduce the price of obtaining a Liberian visa it could help bring in more investors.

ACCORDING TO HIM, the cumbersome process potential investors go through to obtain a Liberian visa, sometimes three times the price, is undermining Liberia’s investment climate. “There are several things that can be done to bring in more investment: if Americans and Western investors don’t have to buy visas, and can get visas at the airport, or reduce the price, more investors will come,” Ambassador McCarthy said.

“THE MORE BARRIERS are removed from foreign investments, the more possibilities there are for Liberia,” Ambassador McCarthy added.

AMBASSADOR MCCARTHY MADE the comments after showering praises on Indian businessman, Upjit Singh Sahadeva, for his rubber processing factory investment following his tour of the factory.

THE US DIPLOMAT also delved into the issue of land and investment in a developing nation like Liberia. He noted that, in a situation where investors can purchase land without controversies, like in the case of Jeety, it creates confidence for investors.