-Commerce Minister designate comments on Liberia’s economy, says he’s willing to declare his assets
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
As he awaits his confirmation, Liberia Minister of Commerce designate, Mr. Amin Modad believes the government of Liberia can still regulate the price of commodities on the Liberian market.
“I still believe we can control price. Initially, we have started making inquiries on those commodities, I really do believe that the price of rice and several other commodities can be reduced within the first 90 days. And we will take those steps toward it. It’s about economic diversification and opening the market to make those commodities available to our people from all sources ” he said.
Giving his goals and plans as Minister of Commerce, he promised a free market economy, adding that he was going to abolish any form of direct and indirect Monopoly.
According to him, he wants to create an environment where products on the market will have homogeneous prices, to able Liberians to have purchasing power and choice.
” One of the things that are killing the Liberian economy is the creation of artificial monopoly that I believe is resting on the Ministry of Commerce as to how they were applying IPD, and managing the process. Under our leadership, per the instructions of President Boakai, we will ensure that prices are not high. That importers don’t take advantage of that open and free market” he stated.
Mr. Modad noted that the issues of commodities are a serious concern because most of those commodities are sensitive, adding that they will not take it likely.
He pointed out that before he commits to a 100% decline in prices, he will conduct a thorough review domestically and internationally looking at the global price of rice to ensure that what comes to Liberia is being sold fairly not at the disadvantage of Liberian.
Meanwhile, he has disclosed to the Liberian people that he has over two million United States Dollars in debt or liabilities, saying that his leadership will focus on an open and free market System for Liberia.
Addressing Liberian over the weekend, Mr. Modad said that he would declare his assets to the Liberian people when confirmed by the Liberian Senate.
“I will make my assets available because I have not done anything in hiding. In terms of assets, I have more than ten million (10 million US) and over two million in debts ( 2 million US). I will be very open about all of them. The documents are there. In recent times, I have conducted an independent audit of all my assets. I will be very open” Mr. Modad asserted.
According to the Liberian business guru, even though he has not declared his assets within a week after his confirmation he will declare his assets.
He pointed out that the reason for such a decision due to why he declare his assets and not confirmed by the Senate.
Mr. Modad further indicated that he will not engage in conflict, saying that he will declare his assets and recuse himself from all his business transferring all management activities to his wife and management team.
He said that he had already started doing that Within the three companies that he owns and it will start just within a week after his confirmation.
“I want to assure the public that the Ministry of Commerce will not do business directly or indirectly with any business that I own. All the time as UP chairperson and working with Commerce I have not done it and will not do it. I’m concerned about my integrity and I will not let anything damage it.
” I will declare my asserts when I take office” Mr. Modad noted.
Mr. Modad said that he would keep the Liberian people updated about the activities of the government, particularly the Ministry of Commerce.
