Cape Town – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will use its long-standing friendship with Liberia to deepen cooperation.
The Deputy President said this when he received a courtesy call from Liberian Vice President Joseph Boakai at Tuynhuys in Cape Town on Wednesday.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said the two countries were both endowed with mineral resources and that when it came to investment, there were areas in which they could both cooperate in a mutually beneficial way.
“…In terms of investments, your country is well endowed when it comes to resources, just as our country is, and that tells us that there should be broad and deep cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
The meeting comes not long after Small Business Development Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Liberian Deputy Minister of Commerce and Trade responsible for Small Business and Administration, Andrew G. Paygar-Flangiah. This created a legal framework to improve trade and economic relations between the two countries.
Ebola crisis
On Wednesday, the Liberian Vice President said South Africa has always been a good friend to Liberia, and expressed his gratitude for the support his country received during the Ebola crisis.
He said beyond Ebola, and given the history between the two countries, it is time for Liberia to strengthen its relationship with South Africa.
“There is a lot we can gain from here. Most of our people who come here … are getting education, are living comfortably in the African spirit and we believe that at this point in time, we can heighten this friendship that has existed for many years.
“There are a lot of discussions that we have had with the Industrial Development Cooperation yesterday. We are trying to explore some possibilities of the things that we could work on together. Our country is small but it is endowed with a lot of resources,” he said.
Cooperation in building skills
Liberia’s development has encountered obstacles over the years due to protracted civil wars. The Vice President said during the conflict, competent people left the country.
“Now we need all the skills and the knowledge to be able to rebuild the country,” he said.
Boakai said South Africa had the experience and the technology that could help Liberia turn the aftermath of the civil war around.
Deputy President Ramaphosa said South Africa would look at various ways to strengthen relations between the two countries.
“As South Africans, we have always looked at Liberia as a very good friend of South Africa. We are very pleased that the friendship between the two countries continued since we were free and we are in full support of Liberia. We would like to deepen our cooperation as much as we can.
“We have a lot to contribute to the development of your country and in many ways, so do you. We look forward to deepening the relationship that should be mutually beneficial to both Liberians and South Africans and it is in that spirit that we are happy and delighted that you are here.” – SAnews.gov.za
