The Ministry of Commerce and Industry MOCI), through its Rural Industrial Promotion Program for Economic Empowerment (RIPE),will shortly embark on the construction of a Modern Textile Production Center in Kolahun, Lofa County valued, at US$231,000, with funding from the Japanese Government.

The project entitled, ‘The Lofa Women Weaving Center”, is intended to promote the Ministry’s inclusive growth agenda by supporting the advancement of local production by fostering Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) participation in the Textile Industry in Liberia.

Commerce & Industry Minister, Hon. Axel M. Addy, praised the People of Lofa for their dedicated services. “Our visit to Vahun a little over a year and a half ago, for all of us on that trip, left very inspired by the works of the LofaPeople. When we got to Voinjama, the women had organized for us to meet with the weavers in Kolahun, which was marked by a display of what was produced by them”.

Minister Addy said, the development of the facility is a demonstration to promoting the expansion of Liberia’s Geographical Indications “LofaCloth” and will stimulate the development of the Textile Sector.

Madam Manu Kamara, acting Deputy Minister for Small Business Administration (SBA), says the SBAwill provide oversight of the program, including training weavers, especially the women; engagement into promoting the products and ensure access to local and international markets. She also said that the SBAwill create linkages to ensure that the production of textile meets the 25% SBA law of local procurement towards all Liberian businesses, including 5% for women owned businesses in Liberia.

Also speaking, Hon.Ellen O. Pratt, Deputy Minister for Industry and Inspector-General, said that the Bureau of Industrywas very excited to have such a project that will have a positive impact on the Liberian textile sector.” She added that, this is the first flagship project under the Liberian Innovative Fund for Empowerment (LIFE), which is designed to promote the textile industry as well as fulfill one of the pillars of the WIPO-Liberia Intellectual Property Development Plan (IPDP).

The Weaving Center, which is a 3,000 square facility, will include a weaving component, a tailoring shop, and various centers for the display of products and storage facility. Finally, Deputy Minister Pratt concluded that there are plans to establish similar centers across the Country.

Rep. Clarence Massaquoi, who was also min attendance at this auspicious occasion said he was delighted about the new initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and hoped the project would be one of the many ways our people can be included in our economic growth. “I am very sure that other districts and counties would have loved to have this opportunity. I know the level of impact this project will have on my people,” he concluded.

Present at the press briefing were Hon. George Dunor, Superintendent of Lofa County, Ms. Mary Kpoto of the Liberia Tailors Union, representative of P&R Contractors Incorporated, a Liberian contractor, as well as other prominent citizens of Lofa County among others.