The Liberia Chamber of Commerce

The Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Inc., with offices at its own building on Capitol Hill, Monrovia, is the leading businessmen’s organization in Liberia, with a membership constituting the top business houses and concessions in the country.

The Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Inc. was dedicated by Bishop Prince A. Taylor and opened by President William V.S. Tubman on Chamber of Commerce Day – March 6, 1962. This day is now designated as “National Chamber’s Day.”

The objectives of the Chamber, which is an Association, are:

• The promotion of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and International Trade of Liberia;
• The collection, evaluation, and dissemination of statistical and other information relating to Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and International Trade of Liberia;
• Promoting and recommending legislation or other measures affecting the aforesaid interests;
• The undertaking by arbitration of the settlement of disputes arising out of Commerce, Industry, Agriculture and International Trade in Liberia;
• The doing of all such other things as may be conducive to the promotion of extension of Commerce, Industry, or incidental to the attainment of the above objectives.

The Liberia Chamber of Commerce is not Government controlled, is non-political and non-profit making. It exists to help its members and further the economic welfare of the country.

The business of the Chamber is governed by a Council of sixteen members, which meets at least once-a-month.

The Council has, among other things, the power from time-to-time, with the consent of the Chamber, to fix the amount of the annual subscription of its five categories of membership, which at the moment is as follows:

            Individual and Sole Proprietary Business:                               US$250.00
            Partnerships:                                                                      US$250.00
            Companies/Corporations:                                                     US$250.00
            Concessions:                                                                      US$500.00
            Associations:                                                                      US$  50.00

In addition, each new member has to pay a non-refundable entrance fee of Fifty United States Dollars (US$50.00), irrespective of membership classification.

The Chamber has an Arbitration Committee presently consisting of three members. The Chamber may, upon written request, in all cases of disputes between members, call on the Arbitration Committee to handle such matters with the understanding that their decision is final and binding on the disputing parties.

Officers of the Chamber:  Mr. Monie R. Captan, President (Comium Liberia Inc.) and  Ms. Massa R. Lansanah, Secretary General.

The Governing Council:  Mr. Monie R. Captan. (Chairman of the Council).
Members are:  Mr. Tony Hage (CATCO); Mr. Milad Asmar (UN Drive Supermarket); Mr. Assaad Barbar(Barbar Motor Corporation); Mr. Mackel Gharib, (U.N. Drive Supermarket); Mr. Lusinee F. Kamara (ACICO); Mr. Philip Parker (NAS Inter-Global); Mr. Sanjay Khurama (B-Kay Pharmacy); Cllr. Oswald Tweh (Pierre & Tweh Law Offices); Mr. Elie Saleeby (Premiere Milling).Mr. Paul Sethi(Sethi Brothers).and Mr. Manhandre Shama.
Life-time Members (who are all Past Presidents) are:  Cllr. Fredie R. Taylor, Jr. Cllr. David A.B. Jallah (David A.B. Jallah Law Offices); Cllr. Seward M. Cooper (African Development Bank); Mr. David K. Vinton (Magus Investment); and Cllr. Henry Reed Cooper (Cooper & Togba Law Offices).

The Arbitration Committee is:  Mrs. Rani James (Petrol-1); Cllr. Matthias Omejia, Jr. (Abeer Pharmaceuticals); and Mr. Charles L. Ananaba (Omega Insurance).
The Auditor of the Chamber is:  Mr. R. K. Suji (Pan African Consultants).

Association Representation:   Mr. Bella Diallo (Foula Business Association); Mr. Shankara Sam Jhamnani (Liberia Pharmaceutical Business Association); Mr. Upjit S. Sachdeva (Association of Indian Businessmen in Liberia).

Advocacy:

• Business Reforms
• Financial Reforms
• Investment Promotions
• Tax Reforms
• Labor Reforms
• Legal Reforms

Business Development

• Trade Promotions
• Training
• Resource Facility
• SMEs Development and Promotion

Social Responsibility

• Promotion of Industrial Harmony under the umbrellaof the National Tripartite Committee (NTC)
• Promotion of Decent Place
• Ensure a healthy work environment against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria through Liberia Business Coalition Against Aids (LIBCAA)