A three-man delegation from Somitz Global Trading of Japan headed by its Director, Mr. Satoshi Shinada, Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Vice President Joseph N. Boakai at his Capitol Building Office. According to a release from the Office of the Vice President, the delegation, which was accompanied by Mr. Harry Greaves, is in the Country to explore investment opportunities.

The two members of the delegation are Senior Executives of Solijitz, a private Trading Company with a market capitalization of a little over USD 2 billion. According to Mr. Harry Greaves, who brought the investors to the Country, Solijtz was interested in infrastructure projects in joint venture with other investors. Mr. Greaves stressed that further meetings have been arranged with government ministries and agencies including Public Works, Lands, Mines and Energy, Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the Roberts International Airport (RIA) and the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA).

The Director of Somitz Global Trading, Mr. Satoshi Shinada expressed gratitude to Vice President Boakai for according them the audience and spoke of his company's preparedness to invest in Liberia in basic infrastructure project. He further mentioned that his company has potential to improve technology in Liberia infrastructure development.

Responding, Vice President Boakai welcomed the gesture and indicated the enormous opportunities that abound in the country. The Vice President praised Liberia-Japan bilateral relationship. The VP spoke of Japan's commitment to Liberia in spite of the challenges globally; a release from the Office of the Vice President said. Vice Boakai President then thanked the delegation and advised them to engage the relevant agencies of Government.

Foreign Minister Ngafuan in Ethiopia for 20th African Union Assembly Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, at the head of an eight-member Liberian Government Delegation is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to attend the 20th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU).

The Liberian Delegation also includes the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Relations, Maryland County Senator H. Dan Morias. Foreign Minister Ngafuan is to represent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Summit of AU Heads of State and Government. The President could not attend the AU Summit due to pressing national engagements.

The 20th Ordinary Session is being held under the theme "Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance." While in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, Foreign Minister Ngafuan is also expected to represent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the African Leaders Malaria Initiative (ALMA) Luncheon to be hosted by the President of the Republic of Mozambique and Deputy Chair of ALMA H.E Armando Guebuza.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the current Chairperson of the African Leaders Malaria Initiative. Minister Ngafuan and Delegation will also hold series of discussions with Liberia's bilateral partners including the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia Mr. Tedoros Adhanom and the British Minister for Africa and International Energy Mr. Mark Simmonds.