Business Linkages
Small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of Liberia’s private sector. The Liberia National Investment Commission (NIC) works to identify opportunities for promoting and developing such enterprises through strong linkages with major investors.
Business Linkages Report
With support from the German International Corporation (GIZ), the NIC developed Promotion of Business Linkages in the Extractives Sector in Liberia—a detailed report created from field and desk research conducted in March and April 2011.
The report analyzes Liberia’s concession environment and identifies areas where productive linkages can be formed between large foreign companies and local businesses. These linkages may involve the provision of goods and services, value-add processing, and related industries.
This report is critical because it offers a practical roadmap for increasing the domestic economic benefits from foreign concession agreements. If implemented, it could boost the growth and competitiveness of Liberian-owned businesses.
Benefits of Economic Linkages
Developing strong economic linkages between foreign companies and Liberian firms creates value for both sides:
- Foreign companies can reduce procurement costs and benefit from faster service delivery by working with local suppliers.
- Local procurement helps build stronger relationships with communities and government institutions.
- Linkages stimulate the development of local industries and increase domestic value creation.
Alignment With National Initiatives
The business linkages strategy builds upon key national programs and reform efforts, including:
- The Liberia Better Business Forum
- The Central Bank of Liberia’s Credit Support Program
- The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s MSME Policy
The combined goal of these programs is to improve:
- Market access for small businesses
- Access to finance and credit
- Skills development and technical capacity