By Raine Tarka Golegio –
The Israeli government has assured a high-level delegation from Liberia visiting that country of its commitment to foster diplomatic ties between the two nations, which will eventually lead to cooperations in many areas.
The Liberian delegation, headed by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Nathaniel Mcgill, has been meeting with senior Israeli officials after holding talks with their President, Isaac Herzog, in Jerusalem.
The discussions centered around possible new areas of cooperation, including agriculture, security, tourism, education, medicine and Information technology. Both parties have also explored the establishment of Trade Mission by Liberia in Jerusalem in order to harness business and trade links.
Israel’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, Retired Major General Yair Golan told Minister McGill and the delegation that Israel wants to strengthen its relations with Liberia by pushing for Israeli Investments in the country.
He described as “appropriate and welcoming” the decision of President George M. Weah to open a Trade and Commerce Mission in Jerusalem. “Liberia and Israel can achieve a lot through this mechanism”, he said.
During a meeting with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister, His Excellency Idan Roll, officials of both governments examined ways in which the opening of the Liberian Trade and Business Mission in Jerusalem can be hastened, while also touting how such a mission will benefit their countries.
The Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister remarked: “We are happy that Liberia, one of Israel’s longtime friends, has come to reignite its friendship with us. Since the lifting of travel restrictions due to COVID-19, you are among the first delegations to visit us in person, and this means a lot”.
These sentiments were echoed at the Israeli-Africa Chambers of Commerce when the Liberian delegation met with some key Israeli business tycoons to whom Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industries, Mawine Diggs, gave a comprehensive presentation on the current state of the country’s trade and business sector, and the vast potential Liberia has for Israeli investments.
“Our aim of opening a Trade Mission here in Jerusalem is to introduce Liberia’s vast business prospects for Investments”, Minister Diggs informed the businessmen. She said this will allow Israel to take advantage of the “attractive potential in the areas of Agriculture, Mining, Iron Ore, Rubber and many others”.
Welcoming the Liberian delegation to the Israel-Africa Chambers of Commerce earlier the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ayala Wittner expressed delight that the Liberian team had come to introduce Liberia business opportunities.
Dr. Wittner said with the opening of a Trade Mission in Jerusalem, “Israel is coming back to Liberia and Liberia back to Israel. We are excited to build partnerships, share business and trade opportunities”.
Meanwhile, as the delegation winds down its week-long visit to Israel, the Liberian officials were taken on a tour of key historic holy sites in Jerusalem. These include the Holy Land of old Jerusalem where there are Mount Zion, the Wailing Wall- regarded the Holiest Place on Earth; the Crucifixion Path of Jesus Christ-.the Via Dolorosa with visible inscriptions of the 14 Station of the Cross; as well as the Church of the Holy Serpulchre which contains major holy sites in Christianity.
The Church has been a major destination of Christian Pilgrims since its creation in the fourth century as the traditional site of the resurrection. There, the
Liberian delegation held a short prayer for the sustenance of Liberia’s Peace, Growth and Prosperity.
