Liberian businessman to import 50 containers of rice 

The Minister of Commerce says within the last three months of his leadership, three Liberians have been granted permits to import rice to Liberia.

By Lincoln G. Peters 

Monrovia, May 27, 2024: Liberian businessman Mr. Saah Young Kinsley has announced plan to ship over 50 containers of 25kg bags of Indian-parboiled rice to Liberia next month.

Kinsley is the Chief Executive Officer of Saah Young Business Center located in Waterside in Monrovia.

Mr. Kinsley disclosed the plan in an interview with this paper over the weekend after the Ministry of Commerce issued import permit declarations (IPDs) to three Liberians.

Mr. Kinsley told this paper that he was given an IPD by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Amin Modad, to import rice. 

Commerce Minister Modad posted on his Facebook page over the weekend that there are six major importers of rice on the market.

He said all these importers were inherited from the last administration.

“No Liberian was granted IPDs or permits to bring in large volume rice during the previous administration,” said Mr. Modad. 

“We have ONLY been in office for 4 months; within the last 3 months of our leadership, we granted 3 permits to bring rice out of the 5 new applications. All were Liberians,” he continued. 

According to Modad, this administration will change the narrative without being distracted, telling Liberians that the government is true to its commitments and the ARREST Agenda.

Mr. Kinsley extolled the Government of Liberia for granting him and other Liberian businesses permits to import rice.

He noted that his metric ton of rice, which is worth over a million United States dollars, is intended to help with the country’s rice crisis.

He praised Commerce Minister Modad for giving him clearance to import the 50 containers of rice into the country.

He believes that this will help minimize the risk of rice shortages on the market.

When brought into the country, he maintained that the rice would be sold on the Liberian market for an affordable price compared to other prices speculated in the press.

The Liberian businessman noted that he imported 20 containers of rice during the regime of former President George Manneh Weah.

He said it was highly embraced by Liberians but alleged that the then Commence Minister further resisted his request to import more rice.

“During the past government …, I brought 20 containers and am selling [them] for 14 United States dollars. But after I finished selling the rice, I wanted to import more, but the past government stopped me,” Kinsley alleged. 

The Liberian businessman further revealed that a rice shortage in any economy hurts the citizens of any nation, something he does not encourage.

According to him, such a situation can lead to increased prices of rice and related products, which may cause inflationary pressure and potentially unrest among consumers who rely heavily on rice as a staple food.

“A rice shortage can have significant impacts on the economy. It can lead to increased prices for rice and related products, inflationary pressures, and potentially unrest among consumers who rely heavily on rice as a staple food,” said Mr. Kinsley.