LIBERIA 2012 - ami-consulting.com

LIBERIA 2012A SYMPOSIUM ON BUSINESS, TRADE,

AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN LIBERIA

APRIL 6, 2012Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel

Phoenix, Arizona

Organized by:AMI Consultants, Inc.

2942 North 24th Street • Suite 114-696 • Phoenix, AZ 85016Telephone (602) 279-7278 • Fax (602) 368-7161* E-mail : [email protected]

LIBERIA 2012: A Symposium On Business, Trade, And Investment Opportunities In Liberia Page 1

Friday, April 6, 201210:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Robert Sherman Opening Remarks and Introductions

Liberian Delegation[Speakers to be inserted]

Presentation of Trade & Investment Opportunities in Liberia(Questions and Answers)

Dr. Innocent Abiaka Break Out Sessions

Introduction byDr. C.T. Wright

Keynote Address:His Excellency Joseph M. MoakaiVice President of Liberia

Dr. Innocent Abiaka Business Visits• Pro’s Ranch Food Processing Factory• Sky Rewewable Energy (Solar water pumps,

irrigation, and LED street lights)• Arizona Public Service• Western Mariciopa Educational Center


[World Atlas.com]

Liberia’s economy is recovering from the global economic downturn. Growth in 2010 was estimated at 6.1%, up from 4.6% in 2009, driven by an increase in exports and foreign direct investment (FDI). Growth is projected to reach 7.3% in 2011 and 8.9% in 2012. The rise in exports was thanks to an increase in commodity prices, particularly rubber, palm oil and minerals. In 2010, the government also began receiving royalty payments (of USD 1.57 million) from the extractive industries sector and these are projected to grow to USD 30 million by 2015.

The rise in international commodity prices has led to the resumption of investments in the Bong Mines and Yekepa iron ore operations, which were delayed by the 2008 financial crisis. In 2010, large-scale extraction commenced and should generate royalties for the country. Offshore oil was also recently discovered.

The overall challenge for Liberia is to make the transition from a period of post-conflict

reconstruction to sustainable development. This would require not only a long-term vision as articulated in the Liberia Rising 2030 development plan, but also strong emphasis on regional integration. As Liberia is a small country with limited purchasing power, a strong export policy to regional markets and shared regional infrastructure projects would boost development. Such a policy could be integrated into the next cycle of the country’s poverty reduction strategy.

Non-African and African emerging partners are active in Liberia. Non-African countries are mainly active in the private sector and extractive industries, including iron ore and palm oil plantations. Clearly, recent high commodity prices provide an additional incentive to invest in Liberia. Of the non-African emerging partners group, China is the largest public donor giving an estimated USD 20 million annually to Liberia, mainly in the form of tied aid. This aid – which is primarily bilateral – is being used to build infrastructure, and to improve healthcare and education.

In terms of African emerging partners, Nigeria leads the group and Nigerian banks are planning on introducing mobile phone banking to Liberia on the back of the innovation’s success in East Africa. A rubber processing plant is also planned that will produce tyre-grade rubber for export as well a project to improve food security.

Macroeconomic Indicators

2009 2010 2011 2012

Real GDP growth 4.6 6.1 7.3 8.9CPI inflation 7.6 7.7 4.4 4.8Budget balance %GDP -1.6 1.3 -1.9 -2.2Current account % GDP -33.2 -40.9 -38.1 -40.6

Source: African Development Bank. Figures for budget balance refer to fiscal year July (n-1)/June (n). Figures for 2010 are estimates; for 2011 and 2012 are projections.


H.E. Ellen Johnson SirleafPresident of Liberia

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the 24th President of Liberia and the first elected female Head of State in Africa. Throughout her career she has demonstrated passionate commitment to hard work, integrity and good governance, advocating for the rights of women and the importance of education to provide a better future for her country and its people.

President Johnson Sirleaf has built strong relations with regional partners and the international community, attracting invest-ment of over $16 billion in Liberia’s mining, agriculture and for-estry sectors, and off-shore oil exploration to provide jobs for her people. Her leadership has led to more than $4 billion in debt relief in June 2010 and to the lifting of UN trade sanctions to allow Liberia access to the international market. She has in-creased the national budget from $80 million in 2006 to more than $350 million in 2010 and has driven annual GDP growth at between 5 and 9.5 percent over this period.

The Liberian leader has attracted more than $5 million of private resources from international contributions, which she has used to enhance Government’s ability to rebuild vital infrastructure – to build schools and clinics and markets, and to foster scholar-ships to further build the skills and capabilities of the Liberian people.

In 2010, Newsweek magazine listed Johnson Sirleaf as one of the ten best leaders in the world, Time magazine placed her among the top ten female leaders, and The Economist called her “the best President the country has ever had.”

President Sirleaf was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, jointly with Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakel Karman of Yemen “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”


Statement of Introduction onHon. Joseph Nyuma. Boakai, Sr.Vice President of Liberia

The Honorable Joseph Nyuma Boakai has served his country for more than 37 years now. During these years his activities have centered on positions in government, mar-keting and agricultural project, management, civic self-help services and private business.

Hon. Boakai was first elected along with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005, to chart a new course for Africa’s oldest Republic which was just emerging from a long and bitter civil war. The Liberian people over-whelmingly reelected Hon. Boakai and Mrs. Sirleaf in 2011, giving them a firm mandate to lift Liberia to new heights. As Vice President of Liberia, he works along with the President and Nobel Laureate to build on the tremen-dous gains made during the first term, and to ensure the Liberia’s place among the comity

of nations is restored. With a focus on economic revitalization, job creation, youth empowerment, and maintenance of law and order in Liberia. At the helm of leadership, the dynamic duo (as they are commonly referred to in Liberia), have revised laws to make the Country more investor friendly, and at the same time ensuring that the masses benefit from Liberia’s vast natural resources.

Hon. Boakai has served his Country as Resident Manager of the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) 1973-1980, Managing Director of the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) 1980-1982, Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC) in 1992 and as Minister of Agriculture 1983-1985.

As Minister of Agriculture, among his enormous duties and responsibilities, he was responsible for national agricultur-al policy formation, Implementation Support and Research, Regulatory Services. He monitored activities and chaired boards of over 20 Agricultural Development projects and Agricultural Cooperative Development Bank and support institutions. He also chaired for one year, a 15 nation West African Rice Development Association (WARDA) and toured research projects of WARDA in Sera Leone, Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau.

Hon. Boakai has served as member and chairman of many boards including chairman-Liberia Finance and Trust Corporation, chairman of the Board of Star Radio, founding member of Bethesda Christian Mission, founding organiz-er-African Methodist Episcopal University, founding organizer of the C.W.A. Methodist University and President of the Monrovia YMCA.


LIBERIA 2012: Bringing Liberia to Arizona. Your Passport to a Vibrant Emerging Market

Symposium Theme liberia’s Needs are Your Investment Opportunities Page 8

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

MAYOR GREG STANTON

March 20, 2012

Honorable Joseph N. Boakai Vice President, the Republic of Liberia Office of the Vice President Capitol Building Monrovia, Liberia

Dear Vice President Boakai,

I have been apprised by Dr. Robert G. Sherman of your upcoming visit to the United States in April and your plan to visit Phoenix, Arizona along with your desire to discuss trade and investment opportunities among other issues. I welcome this news and look forward to meeting with you.

Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the United States and serves as the home of major corporations such as: Motorola, Arizona Public Service, First Solar, Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold among others. The educational institutions, health care delivery facilities, business community and tourism entities are among some of the best in our nation.

Dr. Robert G. Sherman, Dr. C.T. Wright and Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr. who know your country and continent very well are working hard to ensure that your visit is successful, and we hope that your visit will be enjoyable. Dr. Sherman recently informed me that he hails from Liberia and has served on our Commission on the Economy.

I, and many others, look forward to your visit to our wonderful city.

Sincerely,

Greg Stanton Mayor


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

3:00 p.m. VP’s delegation arrives. Welcoming ceremonies at Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Arizona

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Welcome Reception hosted by Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Senior Pastor, First Institutional Baptist Church, Phoenix, Arizona

Thursday, April 5, 2012

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Meet with Governor Jan Brewer (Tentative)

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Activities with Dr. Rufus Glasper, Chancellor, Maricopa Community Colleges and MCCCD Staff

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Meet with City of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, Couyncil Members and other dignitaries of the City of Phoenix

2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Resume activities with Dr. Rufus Glasper and MCCCD

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Dinner hosted by MCCCD

Friday, April 6, 2012

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast hosted by Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Symposium on Trade & Investment Opportunities in Liberia

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Keynote Address: HIs Excellency Joseph M Boakai, Vice President of Liberia

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Business Tours

7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. African Gala Night hosted by Liberian Association of Arizona

Saturday, April 7, 2012

8:00 – 10:00 a.m. Town Hall Meeting and Breakfast with Liberian Community

10:15 a.m. Meet the Press and Depart Phoenix

General Program


1. H.E. Joseph N. Boakai, Vice President and Head of Delegation

2. H.E. William V.S Bull, Liberia’s Ambassador to Washington

3. Hon. Ciata Bishop, Executive Director, NIC

4. Hon. Miatta Beslow, Minister of Commerce

5. Hon. Mary Broh, Acting Mayor, Monrovia City Corporation

6. Hon. Gayah Fahnbulleh, Special Envoy of the Vice President

7. Chamber of Commerce Member

8. Mr. Cherif Abdallah (areas of specialization--Commodities, Petroleum Import, Energy, General Merchandise import & export)

9. Sidiki Konneh (areas of specialization—Construction, clothing, and General Merchandise)

10. Hon. Sam Stevquoah, Chief of Staff

11. Ms. Morie Nemah, Special Assistant

12. Mr. George Saah, Media Relations & Protocol

13. Agent Tamba Woundaa, Security

14. Mr. Daniel Forleh, Attendant

Members Of Vice President Boakai’s Delegation To Phoenix, Arizona


SPONSORS

AMI Consultants was incorporated in Phoenix, Arizona, USA in 1994 as a Limited Liability Corporation. The organization is devoted exclusively to promoting African businesses, investments, trade, and cultural activities through conferences, trade shows, workshops and other proven value-added approaches. AMI also provides consult-

ing services for companies that wish to do business in Africa as well as those that are already doing business in Africa but desire to expand their operations in the region. Drawing from our extensive database and the varied experiences of our consultants, we are able to provide personnel and logistical support to implement a given project successfully. All AMI consultants are either nationals of countries about which they consult or specialists with extensive practical experience in their respective areas. AMI also maintains a wide network of in-country affiliations with organizations and individuals in Africa. As a result, we have the ability to provide consulting services that combine technical skills with cultural sensitivity, which are essential to the unique socio-economic conditions present in individual African countries.

The fundamental Mission of AMI is to provide high quality consulting services that meet our clients’ needs, offer our consultants and associates an opportunity to share in our success; and, in which the target groups of development efforts will experience qualitative and quantitative changes in their well-being.

Accordingly, our activities are designed to:

• Promote African domestic and international trade by assisting firms and business associations expand their busi-ness activities;

• Promote cross-cultural awareness that facilitate mutual understanding and respect in conducting international business;

• Provide assistance through technical support to national and international agencies in training indigenous entre-preneurs and private sector managers in order to promote long-term sustainable economic growth and resource mobilization;

• Facilitate the establishment of viable value-added agricultural enterprises and agribusiness incubators through industry specific workshops and seminars;

• Increase the level of knowledge of international trade among African countries by providing educational training; assistance to local agencies in evaluating trade policies; strengthening private sector initiatives; and, relating to WTO trade policy, relevant programs and regional linkages;

• Facilitate the development and management of capital markets and banking through workshops and concept papers by experienced individuals in the field;

• Improve primary health care and pharmaceutical services by conducting workshops that focus on the appropriate medical supplies and services for African marketplace;

• Enhance manpower development through effective design of exchange programs and training.


Arizona District Export Council – Arizona’s Voice for Global Trade

The Arizona District Export Council (DEC) provides local leadership in international trade through its 30+ member council of international trade veterans and experts, all appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. The District Export Council:

• Collaborates with Arizona business, public and private sector groups to stimulate economic growth through trade and investment;

• Advocates for a well-informed public and political dialogue about global business in Arizona;

• Prepares Arizona to be a “global ready” State; and, Supports the Arizona U.S. Export Assistance Center, a division of the U.S. Commercial Service.

Quarles & Brady LLP, a full service business law firm,

advises U.S. companies that are doing or plan to do business in

other countries, as well as overseas companies that are doing

or plan to do business in the U.S. We counsel on important

issues such as the protection of confidential information; intellectual property strategy, protection and enforcement;

technology transfers; corporate matters (including company formation, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital

and private Equity investments and securities and capital markets); regulatory matters related to market access and

barriers, government approval and registration and license/permit requirements; establishing and operating foreign

investment enterprises; and the many considerations in structuring a transaction, including structure, payment terms,

tax structure, intellectual property licensing, governing law and venue, and enforceability. We regularly assist clients

in drafting and negotiating a broad spectrum of commercial cross-border agreements, from simple independent con-

tractor, agency, supply and distribution agreements to complex joint venture and licensing agreements. In addition,

we counsel clients on international tax considerations with respect to their corporate structure, both in planning

and implementing transactions in overseas, and with transfer pricing and profit repatriation concerns. We also work

closely with accounting firms to implement, document and defend the most beneficial transfer pricing positions for

our clients.

SPONSORS


SPONSORS

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LIBERIA 2012 - ami-consulting.com