Prominent Indian businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, widely known as Jeety, has issued a compelling call for a nationwide industrial revolution in Liberia, urging members of the Indian and Lebanese business communities to shift their investments from retail trading to manufacturing and value-added industries.
Speaking at the official reopening of the Exclusive Super Store on 19th Street in Sinkor, Monrovia, Jeety emphasized that true economic transformation in Liberia will only occur when investors focus on building industries and processing local resources, rather than solely importing and selling goods.
"The industry can create more jobs -- not just trading," Jeety stated. "We must begin transforming into small-scale industries. If we want the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow, we need to move into the industrial sector. Industry plus agriculture is what develops a country."
As the owner of Jeety Rubber LLC, a Liberian-owned rubber processing company based in Weala, Margibi County, Jeety has long championed private sector-led industrialization. He cited his own investment in rubber processing as an example of how industry can spur employment, support rural communities, and add value to Liberia's natural resources.
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"We can no longer rely on trading alone," Jeety stressed. "To solve unemployment and move this country forward, we must produce, we must manufacture, we must industrialize. Liberia has the potential. We must now act."
Jeety delivered these remarks during the high-profile reopening of the Exclusive Super Store, operated by T. Choithram & Sons (Liberia) Inc., a staple in Liberia's retail sector that had been undergoing modernization.
He commended the company's management for reinvesting in Liberia's commercial space and described the reopening as a positive signal of business confidence in the Liberian economy.
"The reopening of this store is not just the return of a business--it's a strong message that investors still believe in Liberia. I applaud TCS for modernizing this outlet and reaffirming their commitment to this country and its people," Jeety noted.
Also present at the event was Liberia's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Magdalene E. Dagoseh, who hailed the reopening of the Exclusive Super Store as a milestone in the revitalization of Liberia's retail and commercial sectors.
"On behalf of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the management and staff of the TCS Group," Minister Dagoseh said. "Your dedication to excellence, resilience through challenging times, and continued investment in Liberia are commendable and deeply appreciated."
She emphasized that the reopening of such a significant retail establishment reflects renewed confidence in Liberia's business environment, while also delivering tangible benefits such as job creation, improved access to affordable, quality goods, and support for small and medium-sized Liberian enterprises (SMEs).
"The private sector plays a vital role in driving economic growth," she stated. "Enterprises like the Exclusive Super Store not only generate employment but also strengthen supply chains and stimulate local entrepreneurship, especially through partnerships with Liberian SMEs."
Minister Dagoseh reaffirmed the government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for both local and international investors, including expanding access to finance, reforming regulations, and supporting SME growth.
"We are working diligently to ensure that Liberian-owned SMEs receive the support they need to compete, grow, and thrive alongside international businesses," she added.
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In a brief remark, Mr. Chirag M. Ramani, Manager of T. Choithram & Sons (Liberia) Inc., thanked attendees for their support and highlighted the company's long-standing dedication to serving Liberia.
"We are honored to reopen the Exclusive Super Store with a renewed focus on quality, service, and affordability," Ramani said. "Our commitment to Liberia remains strong, and we look forward to continuing our role in supporting economic development and delivering value to Liberian consumers."
Jeety's message resonated beyond the ceremony, serving as a bold call to action for foreign and local investors alike to take a long-term view of Liberia's economy. His emphasis on industrial development aligns with national goals for economic diversification and job creation, especially for Liberia's growing youth population.
"We are blessed with natural resources, arable land, and a youthful population," Jeety said. "But without industry, we are merely exporting our potential. The time for Liberia's industrial revolution is now."
