A Canadian government delegation visited Liberia to explore investment opportunities, particularly in renewable energy. Comprising three senior officials, the discussions highlighted strengthening bilateral relations, technology partnerships, and financial support for Canadian initiatives in Liberia. Minister Grigsby emphasized Liberia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and collaboration in the energy sector, paving the way for impactful development initiatives.
A delegation from the Canadian government, consisting of three senior officials, has undertaken a visit to Liberia to explore investment prospects, particularly in renewable energy sectors. The initiative, organized by the Office of Liberia Trade & Investment in Canada, seeks to foster discussions between the delegation and Liberian authorities regarding potential collaborations.
The delegation is composed of Mr. Amadou Kane, Counsellor and Chief of Bilateral Cooperation for Ivory Coast; Ms. Marie Belanger, Team Leader at the Directorate for Canadian and International Partnerships; and Mr. Euloge Camara, Regional Climate Finance Trade Commissioner for Africa at the Canadian Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire. Their discussions focused on various topics including bilateral relations, trade, technological innovation, green energy initiatives, and private sector investment.
During their meetings with key government officials in Liberia, the Canadian representatives underscored the historical relationship between Canada and Liberia, which dates back to 1971. A significant dialogue occurred between the delegation and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Sylvester Grigsby, with a focus on enhancing bilateral relations between the two nations.
The discussions explored existing collaborations in human capital development, trade, technology, green energy, and private sector investment. Furthermore, the Canadian officials highlighted the financial support extended to Canadian companies operating in Africa, emphasizing initiatives for infrastructure development and climate change adaptations.
Mr. Amadou Kane emphasized that despite Canada lacking a bilateral program in Liberia, the nation is engaged in multiple trade programs and extensive projects within Liberia that are funded by Canada through various international organizations. He stated, “We have a lot of programs and projects in Liberia that are being implemented by organizations, but Canada is funding them.”
Mr. Euloge Camara articulated the importance of collective action on climate change, noting Canada’s contributions to climate change initiatives since 2021. He mentioned the financial support given to Canadian companies in Africa, including a significant investment aimed at enhancing the capacity of private school teachers in Liberia through a $300,000 technical support program.
Minister Grigsby reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to environmental protection and the advancement of renewable energy. Both parties expressed a shared interest in improving the energy sector and strengthening the bilateral relationship. This visit marks a proactive step toward impactful partnerships between Canada and Liberia, which can significantly boost developmental efforts.
The delegation’s visit follows the Liberia Investment Forum held in Toronto, where various global investors showed enthusiasm for investing in mining, sanitation, and infrastructure within Liberia. Minister Grigsby reiterated the necessity of protecting the environment and emphasized renewable energy as a viable solution for making energy accessible to all Liberians.
The visit by Canadian government officials signifies a commitment to fostering stronger ties with Liberia, particularly in renewable energy and sustainable development. Collaborative discussions focused on addressing challenges and identifying investment opportunities. Both nations remain dedicated to advancing their bilateral relationship, benefiting Liberia’s growth through international partnerships and projects aimed at environmental protection and economic development.
Original Source: www.liberianobserver.com
