MONROVIA – The President of the Liberian Business Association in China, Mr. Boima Fahnbulleh, has commended the Africa-Guangdong Business Association for affording Liberian businesses the opportunity to participate in the recent 20th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) – Africa Imported Products Promotion Conference held on June 30, 2025, in Hall 17.2, Area D of the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, China.
Mr. Fahnbulleh who served as one of the distinguished speakers at the well-attended symposium, expressed appreciation for the cordial business relationship that exists between China and Liberia, noting that Liberia remains a significant business hub for China.
Delivering his address, Fahnbulleh said the invitation extended to the Liberian business community in China will go a long way in fostering trade and commerce between the two friendly nations.
“China is doing a lot of great things in our country Liberia since the end of our civil war,” he said. “China was even part of the UN peacekeeping troops that ended our conflict in Liberia for which we are today enjoying peace and doing business from Liberia to China.”
Liberia, he said, is open for business as supported by the vision of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and that China remains key in Liberia’s trade trust.
“Our country is still striving towards infrastructure development in terms of roads connectivity, among others, and China will play a big role in this,” he said further. “Our own Vice President, His Excellency Jeremiah Koung, was recently here to scout for machines to build our roads in Liberia.
“This conference is an eye-opener for Liberians resident in China to enhance trade and commerce between our two sister nations. However, there are some challenges that need to be highlighted for smooth operations of the Liberian Business Association in China.”
Among the key challenges revealed, Fahnbulleh appealed to the Chinese authorities to enhance trade by extending visa applications for its members, noting that the one-month visa is placing unnecessary barriers for Liberian businesses.
“We are kindly appealing for one year visa extension for applications to be accorded our business people. Once again, we want to appreciate everyone for this opportunity and call on our organization membership to continue to utilize such opportunities that will enhance trade and commerce between our two sister nations,” Mr. Fhanbulleh said.
As the largest and highest-level international exhibition in China, exclusively dedicated to serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and approved by the State Council, the China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) provides a vast, comprehensive platform for domestic and international SMEs to “exhibit, exchange, trade and cooperate.”
The Africa Imported Products Promotion Conference, as one of the supporting services of this year’s CISMEF, aims to build a bridge connecting African and Chinese enterprises, fostering trade flows and economic development.
Simultaneously, it will enable Chinese enterprises to gain a fuller understanding of Africa’s business environment, abundant resource supply chains, and favorable government policies, thereby supporting their expansion into African markets.
Representatives from China-Africa business institutions, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, and key enterprises will attend the event, sharing opportunities and shaping the future together.
The CISMEF Conference was attended by representatives from the Chinese government as well as foreign representatives.
Discussions focused on the thematic areas like “Africa Imported Products Promotion”, “Trade Facilitation for Africa Imported Products”, and “Strategic Positioning and Collaborative Development of Chinese Brands in the African Market “Development through Cooperation, Empowering Africa Expansion”.
