MONROVIA, LIBERIA-Indian Ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, says the relationship between India and Liberia is built on strong foundations of mutual respect, shared democratic values, and a common vision for development.
According to Ambassador Verma, in recent months, Liberia and India’s bilateral cooperation has reached new heights, leading to a 54 percent growth in trade, which accrued at least 400 million United States Dollars between 2024 and 2025.
He said,” For the past years, India has also shared its developmental experience with over 160 countries on the African continent, Asia, and beyond, including Liberia, through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITECP)”.
Ambassador Verma noted that each year India provides 70 training slots for Liberia under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, along with scholarship opportunities, as part of efforts to build the capacity of Liberians.
The Indian Envoy’s statement is contained in his Keynote address delivered recently at the closing ceremony of a six-week capacity-building program for senior officials of the Ministry of Labor, organized in partnership with the Liberia Institute of Public Administration.
“I am very happy to be here at this closing ceremony of the capacity building certification program, jointly organized by the Ministry of Labour of Liberia and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration; I wish to sincerely thank Minister Cooper Kruah for inviting me to participate and to speak at this important occasion,” Ambassador Verma emphasized.
According to the Ambassador, the event marks the beginning of a new chapter in excellence with new skills and fresh inspiration, while praising the 26 professionals of the Labor Ministry for their dedication to enhancing their skills and commitment to serve the people of Liberia, a move that demonstrates the spirit of progress for India and Liberia.
He said India’s journey of nation-building after independence taught the Country invaluable lessons, adding that sustainable development requires strong institutions, dedicated public servants, and continuous learning. As such, the challenges faced by Liberia, including service delivery to policy implementation, resource management, to stakeholder engagement, are issues India is committed to helping Liberia address.
The Indian Envoy says India’s cooperation with Liberia has many dimensions, including the first-ever all-women police unit who were sent by India to serve with UN peacekeeping forces from 2007 to 2016, contributing to Liberia’s stability and peace, a partnership that continues to flourish through capacity building, education, and development cooperation.
He noted that India is proud to be one of Liberia’s key trading partners, supplying essential commodities including rice, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods that keep the economy moving, which also extends to the Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme to Liberia, providing zero duty and preferential market access of more than over 98% India’s tariff lines.
Ambassador Verma wants the 26 Labor Ministry employees to apply the knowledge acquired with full dedication and integrity, while sharing it with their colleagues and communities, to promote innovation and a whole-of-government approach in addressing public administrative challenges in Liberia.