Israel and Liberia Sign Diamond MOU

Sirleaf, on a state visit to Israel, told the crowd that like many African women leaders, she follows the path of former primer minister Golda Meir, who initiated diplomatic ties with Liberia in the 70s.

Saying that they had been a “resource curse” in the past, diamonds today offer Liberia an opportunity, she said. Now that the country has restored its growth, regained international credibility and has been accepted into the Kimberley Process, Liberia is intent to continue to do what it takes to restore its infrastructure and education, Sirleaf added.

Adding that the government’s micro-economics policies are sound, the president invited Israeli diamond companies to explore the economic opportunities and invest in her country. “Thank you for being part of Liberia’s future,” she said in conclusion.

Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute, told the listeners that the Israeli diamond industry views Africa, and Liberia in particular, as a land of opportunities.

Quoting the famous saying by Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, “If you will it, it is no dream,” Ganz told Sirleaf that a thriving diamond industry is a possibility for Liberia.

The MOU calls for the establishment of bilateral economic cooperation between the government of Liberia and the Israeli diamond industry. It includes examination of the bilateral interests; an offer by the Israeli diamond industry to conduct a full-scale and in-depth survey of Liberia’s diamond industry and its potential; and a Liberian commitment to facilitate and encourage cooperation and direct contacts between the two diamond industries.