Liberian Commerce and Industry Minister Addy

Liberia’s Commerce and Industry Minister Axel Addy, accompanied by the country’s Ambassador to France, Dr. C. William Allen, on Friday, February 6, attended the French-African Forum for Shared Growth hosted by the French Government in Paris.

The forum, attended by heads of states of France, Senegal, Gabon, and Ivory Coast, brought together  trade ministers from over 50 countries, young entrepreneurs and leaders of the private sector, aimed to create new opportunities for dialogue, meetings and cooperation.

Welcoming the guests,  Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France, said the ties which unite France and Africa are unbreakable, but that France wants to do even more to strengthen them.

He added, “There is no doubt that Africa is a vibrant continent, where in each country men and women are working hard to make progress. There is also a determined youth which is working to build a better future.” He added that as a result, the continent has seen annual economic growth of five percent (5%) for over a decade.

Also speaking, French President Francois Hollande noted that the French Development Agency (AFD) would raise 20 billion euros between 2014 and 2020 to provide an opportunity for French and African companies who must become involved in these AFD-led projects to further their expertise and thus to develop, in line with the needs of African countries. He said that four billion Euros of this amount has already been financed in 2014.

The forum was jointly organized by the French Ministry of Finance & Public Accounts, and the Ministry of Economy, Industry & Digital, in connection with MEDEF International.

Isaac C. Yeah

Minister Counselor(Press and Public Affairs)

Embassy of Liberia-Paris, France