As part of efforts to explore opportunities to expand business activities and strengthen trade relations between Liberia and Canada, Canadian Ambassador to Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, Sandra Choufani, paid a courtesy visit to the Freeport of Monrovia.
During the visit, Ambassador Choufani said Canada is interested in sharing knowledge and exploring ways to support the National Port Authority’s (NPA) efforts to boost economic activity and increase trade opportunities.
She noted that stronger cooperation between the two countries could help promote investment and development in Liberia’s port sector.
Receiving the ambassador and her delegation, NPA Deputy Managing Director for Administration, James Richard Bernard, thanked her for the visit and reaffirmed the port authority’s commitment to attracting investment and building partnerships that support Liberia’s long-term development.
James Bernard highlighted the NPA’s Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2030), which aims to modernize the country’s ports, improve operational efficiency, and position Liberia as a leading maritime gateway in West Africa.
He also noted that the ambassador’s accreditation to both Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire presents an opportunity to strengthen trade links between the two neighboring countries.
The delegation later toured the APM Terminals concession area at the Freeport of Monrovia, where Deputy Managing Director Emeka Ogbaje briefed them on the company’s progress in maintaining 24-hour operations and reducing vessel turnaround times.
He also expressed interest in establishing technical partnerships with Canadian counterparts to further improve port services.
The NPA described the visit as a positive step toward deepening cooperation between Liberia and Canada and advancing sustainable maritime development.
Monrovia|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu
