The Ministry of Commerce and Industry on September 16, 2014 hosted the weekly National Press briefing. The press conference focused on the effects of the Ebola Virus on international and domestic trade. Also at the conference was the African Union Representative to Liberia Ambassador Facki Oketta, to discuss the AU response to the Ebola outbreak in the Mano River Union.

Commerce Minister Axel M. Addy in his statement to the press acknowledged the negative effects of Ebola on trade and the rise in the prices of basic commodities during the state of emergency. The Minister assured the general public that the ministry is monitoring the market and putting into place measures to discourage the arbitrary increase in prices of essential commodities by some unscrupulous business people.

The Minister also stated that due to the extra insurance charges on vessels coming to Liberia, and the difficulties in finding crew to man the vessels, many importers are incurring extra cost to ensure that essential commodities reach Liberia.The Minister clarified that the Ministry is working with stakeholders to ensure that the brunt of the cost of doing business is not borne solely by the Liberian consumer. Finally the Minister assured the general public that there are adequate stocks of essential commodities in the country.

For his part Amb. Facki Oketta informed the press that the African Union is sending 200 medical professional and Ebola experts to Liberia to assist in the fight.