Deputy Minister of Economic Management Speaks At Poverty Confab in China

Deputy Finance Minister for Economic Management Augustus J. Flomo has expressed the need for China to transfer its knowledge and skills in helping Africa to alleviate poverty, as the continent make efforts to achieve the SDG Pillar I by 2030.

Pillar One of the Sustainable Development Goals calls for countries around the world to initiate programs to ensure that poverty is alleviated by 2030.

Deputy Minister Flomo was speaking at the 2018 Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation organized by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China on Tuesday, August 14, 2018, in Beijing.

According to him, it was important for China to transfer practical and applicable ways to Africa in order for countries to execute successful poverty alleviation programs.

China he explained has made a successful poverty alleviation story by taking over 800 million people from below the poverty belt during the last 40 years of its reforms and opening up.

“We need to work and learn from the Chinese how they have been able to execute their poverty alleviation program” he adds.

The Liberian deputy minister informed delegates at the conference that his government has a robust plan to take several thousand Liberians out of poverty in the next five years through the ‘Pro-Poor’ Agenda.

The government he adds has identified agricultural zone where the country stable food will be produced in large quantity. Farmers he said have agreed to return to the soil to begin large-scale farming following consultation with the government.

Liberia, he said is ready to learn from China on how it can execute successful poverty program on a timely basis.

“It will be good learning from the Chinese about the engagement of executing the program on a timely basis in order to make an impact” Deputy Minister Flomo stressed.

The three days conference has drawn delegates from over 40 African countries, including representatives from the UNDP, UNFPA, AU, China, and experts from Africa and China.

Speaking earlier was Liu Yongfu, Minister of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development of the People’s Republic of China who said his country has been able to solve their problem of food and clothing over the years.

Minister Liu explained that Chinese have walked from a deficient life to an affluent one and marched from poverty to a well-off society. He said China has shared knowledge and experience with Africa regarding poverty alleviation since 2005.

Credit: Nicholas D. Nimley