Liberia, Oct. 29 -- Unification Town, Margibi County - While launching Liberia's first mining and energy conference within a decade and a half, President Joseph Nyuma hinted at the imminent establishment of two major institutions: the National Mining Company of Liberia and the Liberia Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Speaking at the landmark international conference that brought together a thousand-plus delegates from Liberia and the globe, the Liberian leader pointed out that for long, resource-rich countries, including Liberia, have exported raw materials while importing finished products, technology, and expertise, stressing that Liberia intends to take a different path.

"Our minerals should support domestic processing, industrial development,...