Liberia’s Vice President, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor is in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from March 7th to 9th, 2023. At the invitation of Her Royal Highness Princess Moradeun Ogunlana, founder of the African Women’s Health Project International ( AWPHI) Global Foundation, Madam Vice President served at Keynote Speaker at the First Ladies Forum and Economic Development Summit. The Summit was hosted in commemoration of the International Women’s Day. Speaking on March 8th, International Women’s day, Vice President Howard-Taylor asserted that women’s economic empowerment includes the ability to participate equally in existing markets, access to and control of productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and the consistent advocacy and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels.
” As we gather here to celebrate another milestone in this struggle for women’s emancipation and empowerment, there is still much that needs to be done if the changes we seek must become a reality ” the Liberian Vice President intimated.
She applauded all those who continue to make this struggle for Women’s empowerment a daily commitment, but called for more attention and new focus to targeted programs to address women issues.
While in Dubai, VP Howard-Taylor held discussions with a team of investors in Dubai Silicon Oasis on exploring possibilities to attract investment opportunities to Liberia. She reiterated President George Weah’s pronouncement that Liberia is open for business. The discussions centered on the possibilities of opening Liberia’s market between the UAE and China in various fields of the economy to include trade, health, education, agriculture, science, and technology.
With a youthful population of more than 60%, Liberia is better positioned to supply the necessary manpower for industries and companies seeking investment, the investors indicated.
However, the investors highlighted the need to train Liberian youth with the skill-sets demanded in the global labor market.
Liberia’s Vice President stressed on the challenges of youth unemployment and encouraged the team of investors to make Liberia an investment hub in order to address the country’s socio-economic challenges.
The Dubai Silicon Oasis was established in 2004 by the Government of UAE to promote industries related to modern technology, infrastructure, and business services. It hosts many of the World’s top investors, industries and companies.
Madam Vice President is expected to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain on March 10th, 2023 to speak at the 146th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
