§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will now discuss with the Government of Liberia the feasibility of recommissioning the rubber factory at Gbarnga, as a means of providing employment for demobilised combatants and reducing the dependency of Liberia on foreign aid by increasing the value of its exports. [HL1246]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanThe focus of the international effort is to build a secure environment in which both the Liberian people and the economy can thrive without dependency on international aid. At the recent Liberia Donor Conference on 5 and 6 February, the UK committed £9 million to Liberia, £6 million of which will go towards the disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation process.
The Liberian rubber industry is potentially a significant local employer. Although the civil war destroyed rubber factories around Gbarnga, a viable rubber industry continues to exist in Liberia. The lead for drawing up and implementing a reconstruction programme lies with the UN Mission in Liberia.