July 31, 2019: Liberia will get its first commercial modern storage facility and operations as integrated logistics services provider, Global Logistics Services (GLS) and InfraCo Africa have signed a historic agreement. The agreement for the $6 million modern commercial storage was signed at the GLS office in Monrovia on July 30.

In a statement, Peter Malcolm King, CEO, GLS said that the joint venture company, Liberia Inland Storage & Distribution Services Inc. (LISDSI) will build an open-access, temperature-controlled storage facility within the Monrovia Industrial Park off Somalia Drive. The operation is due to commence in 2020 and will incorporate state-of-the-art inventory management systems, loading and unloading capacity, and range of storage temperatures.

"GLS and its partner, InfraCo Africa is proud to be taking on this noble project and together reiterated our commitment toward the improvement of our country, Liberia through strategic investments in infrastructure, human capacity and social welfare," said King.

LISDSI aims to meet the growing storage needs of small, medium and large companies with the Mano River Union (MRU). It is likely to handle life-saving medicines and humanitarian aid relief materials too.

Importers/exporters, organisations and third-party logistics companies are expected to secure space requirements for the short to medium-term and the facility will operate a throughput and remote last-mile connectivity through distribution services. Improvement and development of local capacity in supply chain operations and support to local communities with increased development impact are some of the additional benefits expected.

"The project will also provide mountain of benefits to Liberia's national development agenda, including improvements to the country's supply chain infrastructure and processes, healthcare cold-chain logistics quality, reduced food and consumable prices, and increasing our trade potential, while supporting operations to manage their associated risks of doing business in Liberia," added King.

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