The US Diplomat emphasized that every country needs farmers because they are the backbone of any country.
Monrovia, June 21, 2024: The Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy near Monrovia, Ms. Catherine Rodriguez, has praised Indian businessman and philanthropist Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva (Mr. Jeety) for mixing economic empowerment with his investment ventures in Liberia.
She spoke on Thursday, June 20, 2024, after a tour of Mr. Sachdeva’s more than US$40 million rubber factory processing investment in Weala, Margibi County.
Ms. Rodriguez said economic development and empowerment will provide opportunities for growth in Liberia.
The US Envoy emphasized that the US Government advocates for economic development through its embassies.
According to her, economic development is one way to move Liberia out of its current state and into the next level of prosperity.
“I know Liberia has benefited from foreign assistance for many years, but it’s through economic development that will provide opportunities,” Ms. Rodriguez said.
Turning to Mr. Sachdeva, who is more commonly known as “Jeety,” she added: “Jeety, you have an enviable level of fan base here.”
“I listened to all of the people who spoke here today; it is obvious that your factory here is providing economic opportunities beyond people who worked here to people in the communities.”
“People are benefitting from the food you provide, from the additional money your employees have to pay school fees, buy new clothes, etc.”
She continued that Mr. Jeety’s money and investment in Weala and his vision here are something to be admired.
“As I said there are many business ventures in Liberia, but it’s people like you who will ensure that there is hope, that there is opportunity, and that Liberia can be a powerhouse, economically,” Ms. Rodriguez said.
She applauded all the rubber farmers who are selling to Jeety and other buyers and told the Rubber Planters Association of Liberia (RPAL) through its leadership and small rubber farmers that she looks forward to working with all of them “to make sure that farmers continue selling but more importantly that farmers continue to make money.”
The US Diplomat emphasized that every country needs farmers, adding: “Farmers are the backbones of any country.”
She thanked the locals for the warm reception she and her entourage received when they arrived at the entrance of the Jeety Rubber Factory in Weala.
She was received traditionally with country rice and kola nuts and was handed a bouquet.
Responding, Mr. Jeety vowed that, with the support of the people, including farmers, he would do what he had promised to do at his rubber factory.
Jeety said he is not receiving the quantity of rubber his factory requires to operate at its maximum.
According to him, he needs 225 tons of raw rubber daily.
“In May 2024, I received 2,312 tons of rubber; in April 1,476 tons; in March 1,722 tons; in February 2,494.65 tons and in January 2,696 tons,” he disclosed.
He said there are lots of challenges, which he is not going to speak to for now.
He told Ms. Rodriguez that he had promised her predecessor, Ambassador Michael McCarthy, he would have a rubber factory in Liberia.
Before Amb. McCarthy’s tour of duty ended in July 2023, he visited Mr. Jeety at the factory in June 2023 and was shocked by the level of investment he saw.
“And, whatever I promised him that time, I achieved. Today, I promise you that if the farming community, if the government just give me the raw materials, I will make the first rubber glove in the country,” said Jeety.
“I will make the first made-in-Liberia tire in the country,” Mr. Jeety assured Madam Rodriguez as he received rounds of applause from the farmers and locals.
He used the occasion to call on the Liberian Government to fix the rubber purchase price for small farmers. He disclosed that he supports the price that the RPAL has proposed.
“Let the government fix the price on the Ivory Coast. The price difference between Ivory Coast and Liberia is just a couple of dollars because processing cost is cheaper in Ivory Coast,” he stated.
In Ivory Coast, Mr. Jeety said there is no need [for investors] to provide electricity and build roads and schools. “These things come with costs,” he lamented. In addition, he said he spends at most US$212.00 to produce one ton of processed rubber, and his generators burn 3,500 gallons or 58.3 drums of diesel fuel daily.
In August 2023, he disclosed that his over US$40 million rubber-processing factory investment will generate between US$40 to US$50 million in foreign exchange and contribute substantially to the Liberian government’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.
In addition to the huge sum of money, Jeety’s company has also employed over 700 Liberians.
It can be recalled that the Government of Liberia, through the 54th Legislature, ratified the Jeety Rubber LLC Investment Incentive Agreement in December 2021 for the production of multiple rubber materials.
According to the agreement, Jeety Rubber LLC will construct, develop, and operate a national rubber processing and production plant for tires and other natural rubber products, including long and short rubber goods.
The processing plant is also expected to produce hand gloves, rain boots, and rubber bands.
The company will process approximately 25,000 tons of natural rubber per annum.
It compels Jeety Rubber LLC to consider the interests of local rubber traders and others when purchasing raw materials.
