Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to Address Historic Private Sector Investment Forum

17 January 2007
press release

Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will deliver the keynote address at the Liberia Private Sector Investment Forum on February 15, 2007 at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C.  The event coincides with the one-year anniversary of her historic election as Liberia's first female President and Africa's first democratically elected female Head of State. The one-day Private Sector Investment Forum, hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) in cooperation and co-sponsorship with the Government of Liberia, the International Finance Corporation, and the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation, is designed to strengthen the international business community's engagement with Liberia.

"The President has made great strides towards the establishment of good governance and a sound business climate during her first year in office. Her presence at the Private Sector Investment Forum should signal to the American and international business community that the new Liberia is serious about engaging with the private sector," said Stephen Hayes, President of CCA.

The Liberia Private Sector Investment Forum will bring together businesses to learn about investment incentives and opportunities in the "new" Liberia. Liberia is ideally situated to be a gateway to the rest of West Africa. Investment opportunities in vital sectors including agriculture, mining and natural resources, energy, construction, transportation, and tourism will be highlighted during sector-specific workshops at the Forum. Potential investors will hear directly from companies currently doing business in Liberia. Both the governments of the Republic of Liberia and the United States are expected to participate at a high level.

The Private Sector Investment Forum will follow two days of intensive government-only deliberations during the Liberia Donors Conference on February 13 and 14, 2007 in Washington, D.C. Outcomes of the Liberia Donors Conference will also be highlighted during the Private Sector Forum.

"We invite the private sector to become a significant partner in the sustainable development of Liberia. Join us on February 15 to learn about the new Liberia, and to celebrate the first anniversary of President Johnson Sirleaf's historic inauguration and commendable achievements over the past year," Hayes added.

Inquiries about the Liberia Private Sector Investment Forum should be directed to Daniel Wolf at dwolf@africacncl.org. Media inquiries should be directed to Ilda Diffley at idiffley@africacncl.org Visit CCA's website at www.africacncl.org for additional registration and program information.

CCA, established in 1993, is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) membership organization of nearly 200 U.S. companies dedicated to strengthening the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Africa. CCA members represent nearly 85 percent of total U.S. private sector investments in Africa.

Visit CCA's website at www.africacncl.org.

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