Opening of the Consultative Committee between the Government of the Republic of Liberia and the Government of Japan for the Food Aid Project (KR2012)

The Republic of Liberia (hereinafter referred to as “Liberia”) suffered from a long lasting civil war, which left many of its citizens into deep poverty. After the stipulation of the peace agreement in 2003, society stabilized, yet due to the increase of population by refugee returnees, chronic food insufficiency is a substantial matter of national security.

Since 2008, every year (except for 2009), the Government of Japan has donated funds to the Government of Liberia through the Food Aid Project, which will be utilized for procurement of rice.

The Government of Liberia has been importing rice with these aids. In this regards, since 2008, JICS has concluded an Agent’s Agreement with the Government of Liberia, enabling it to act as Agent of the said Government for procuring rice and providing Secretariat services for the Consultative Committee (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”).

In February 2014, the Committee concerning the Food Aid Project was held at the “Cecil Dennis Hall” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Present at this meeting were 20 members, including Ministers, Deputy Ministers and other high-rank officials from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, and Agriculture of the Government of Liberia, as well as the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Ghana (which has jurisdiction over Liberia as well). Fruitful discussions and reporting were conducted on the selling price of rice, distribution areas, Counterpart Fund (*1) deposit and its utilization.

The concerned Committee has also been reported on the Liberian Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s website. Moreover, JICS new-graduate (entered in April 2013) participated in the meeting as well. More details on the meeting and opinions on the business trip are also uploaded on JICS’ “My First Business Trip to Liberia” Page.