The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Forbes Magazine, hosted a one-day event, “The Entrepreneurial Exchange 2013 Business Summit” at the Monrovia City Hall on the morning of October 30, 2013.

The summit brought together a broad spectrum of leading Liberian businessmen and women, international entrepreneurs and philanthropists, government officials and foreign dignitaries.  Ambassador Deborah R. Malac of the United States Embassy kicked off the event with opening remarks, which highlighted the importance of supporting Liberia's small businesses. The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Axel M. Addy opened the event and urged Liberian entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the interactive sessions and seek to create linkages with Forbes partners that will be beneficial to their development of their businesses.

The forum consisted of three parts: two panel discussions, three breakout sessions, and a networking session. Bridgett Arnold, Director of The Gates Foundation, and Randall Lane, the Editor of Forbes Magazine, moderated the two panel discussions on how entrepreneurs can raise money and how they can grow their enterprises.

The second part of the summit was a breakout session where nine of the Liberian small enterprises showcased their business plans (Pitched) to an audience of the Forbes entrepreneurs / philanthropists, government officials, and other established Liberian businesses. Three businesses presented to the audience in three separate rooms simultaneously.

The event concluded with a networking session at the Bella Casa Hotel, where Liberia’s top entrepreneurs had time to interact with the summit’s special guests.  To conclude the day, The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, together with Forbes Magazine, presented the nine Liberian entrepreneurs with award certificates for their participation in the Entrepreneurial Exchange 2013 Business Summit.

All together 356 Liberians Small Businesses were represented at the interactive business discussions held by the two panels.  This event was the first Entrepreneurial Exchange Business Summit of its kind held in Liberia.  This event was made possible by the support of Arcelor Mittal, Building Markets, Coca Cola USAID and Forbes.