Boakai confers with Indonesian President Widodo

President Joseph Boakai has called for the exchange of Resident Ambassadors between Liberia and Indonesia to strengthen ties.

Bali, Indonesia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. has held bilateral talks with his Indonesian Counterpart, President Joko Widodo, to strengthen ties between Liberia and Indonesia.

According to the Executive Mansion, the Liberian Leader expressed gratitude for the invitation to participate in the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum and further solidify the friendly relations between the two nations.

President Boakai appreciated the warm reception and courtesies extended to him and his delegation since arriving in Bali.

The two leaders reflected on the high point in their countries’ relations in 2013, marked by mutual visits and the establishment of a Joint Commission to enhance cooperation and trade.

President Boakai also acknowledged Indonesia’s significant contribution to Liberia’s peace and stability during the civil conflict, particularly through participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission and private sector investment.

An appeal was made for continued support from the Indonesian Government to overcome challenges faced by Indonesian companies operating in Liberia. He referenced the need for Indonesia to back the expansion of Golden Veroluem Limited (GVL), an Indonesian company operating in the oil palm industry in Liberia, for further advancements, particularly establishing a palm oil refinery to ensure value addition.

President Boakai expressed his commitment to bolstering relations and proposed exchanging Resident Ambassadors between the two countries and revitalizing the Joint Commission.

He further invited President Joko Widodo to visit Liberia to bolster initiatives for increased collaboration in various fields.

In response, the Indonesian President expressed interest in key areas of collaboration, including increased investment in palm oil, capacity development, infrastructure development, technical support, training, and scholarship initiatives facilitated through the Indonesian Embassy in Ghana.

He invited Liberia to join the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOC) and the South-South Tropical Forest Collaboration, which currently comprises eight countries, to leverage Liberia’s huge forest reserve.

He further expressed interest in partnering with Liberia in importing rice to stabilize and reduce its price while working on public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements to boost local rice production and support the value chain in the rice sector.

The Indonesian Leader also invited Liberia to participate in the 68th Anniversary of the Asian-African Conference (AAC), which is expected to take place in 2025.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude and a shared commitment to strengthen the ties between Liberia and Indonesia further.