Improving Market Linkage: Agro-businesses take on trade fair to promote ‘Made in Liberia’ products
A three-day trade fair intended to promote ‘Made in Liberia’ products has ended in Monrovia. The trade fair featured packaged vegetables, confectioneries and value-added products including cassava flour, season pepper powder, fruit juices among others.
The trade fair under the banner “Creative Market Place” is an initiative of four agro-businesses, Creative Apple Inc., One Liberia Marketing Group Inc., Gifted Hands Enterprise and the Falama Inc.
According to Lee G. Wougbaye Jr., Executive Director of One Liberia Marketing Group Inc., the monthly trade fair is created to improve market linkage for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) mainly agro-businesses and other businesses operating in the art and culture sector of Liberia.
“This network is created as an accessible means to market and marketing services for Small and Medium Enterprises. We are working together to strengthen costumers’ base links and create job opportunities for the youthful population of our country. We are hopeful that with this network, buyers can support and boost the confidence of Liberian businesses,” says Wougbaye Jr.
Maimai Clinton, CEO of Tina Enterprise lauded One Liberia Marketing Group and its partners for their initiative. She says that exposing “Made in Liberia” products to Liberian consumers unfolds investment and partnership opportunities but also business expansion opportunity in term of locations.
“There is a need that Liberians know about products that are made in Liberia and the Creative Market Place is a unique idea. I think this will help Liberians promote their own products, but at the same time exposing us to partnership opportunities, like having your products in other cities across Liberia. This is another means of encouraging young people to get involved with agriculture,” says Maimai Clinton.
In the same vein, Lovett S. Reeves an entrepreneur operating in the art and culture sector urged Liberians to patronize products that are made in Liberia.
“Liberians are not big fans of Liberian products. Only a few values what other Liberians produced. If most Liberians value Liberian made products, we as producers will be at an advantageous position in our economy,” says Reeves.
