China seeks to increase agricultural imports from Liberia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Front Page Africa
Illustrative image · Sami Kofer · Pexels · Licence PexelsChina said it is ready to increase imports of cocoa, coffee and dried chilli peppers from Liberia, with the market opened to approved exporting companies. Beijing also encourages Chinese investment in agricultural processing, according to the office of Liberian Vice-President Jeremiah Koung.
China has committed to facilitating access to its market for Liberian agricultural products, notably cocoa, coffee and dried chilli peppers. The commitment was made by Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang during talks with Liberian Vice-President Jeremiah Kpan Koung in Shanghai on 5 November, according to a statement from the office of the Liberian vice-president.
Ding Xuexiang said the next step was for Liberia to submit a list of eligible exporting companies for examination and approval by the Chinese authorities. The selected companies will then be able to begin marketing their products in China, according to the statement.
Jeremiah Kpan Koung cited rubber, cocoa and coffee among the priority products for developing trade. He also invited Chinese companies to consider investments in Liberia's special economic zones, particularly in rubber processing, agribusiness and light industry, according to the vice-president's office.
The meeting took place after Koung attended the opening of the 9th China International Import Expo, where he called for China's zero-tariff policy to be turned into increased exports, local processing and employment in Liberia, according to the statement.
