Slovak Ambassador Martin Podstavet, accredited to Liberia with residency in Abuja, Nigeria, has toured the Jeety Rubber Factory and the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in Weala, Margibi County, describing the companies’ investments as a testament to “Liberia’s positive business climate and a reflection of the country’s growing investment potential.”
During his tour, Amb. Podstavet visited the SRC school, a medical clinic, worker residential camps, and rubber tapping fields, before inspecting all departments of the Jeety Rubber Factory, where raw latex is coagulated into solid rubber blocks for export.
Jeety Rubber, which operates one of Liberia’s rubber processing facilities in Margibi County, also owns the SRC, the fourth largest rubber plantation in Liberia. Both companies are owned by business tycoon Upjit Singh Sachdeva, also known as Jeety, who is the Honorary Consul General of Slovakia in Liberia.
Amb. Podstavet’s visit coincided with the presentation of his letters of credence to President Joseph Boakai, informing the President of the Slovak Government’s intention to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Bratislava and Monrovia, with a focus on economic and educational development, guided in part by the honorary consul’s recommendations. 
“Everyone I spoke with described Mr. Jeety as a good man who supports thousands of Liberians,” Amb. Podstavet said. “Slovakia does not take lightly the decision to endorse someone as Honorary Consul General. It profoundly signifies exceptional knowledge and well-rounded expertise.”
According to Amb. Podstavet, a key component of the Slovak Government’s bilateral discussions with Liberia, will be educational exchanges, including potential scholarship opportunities for Liberian students.
Amb. Podstavet noted that the current focus of the Slovak Government is to build a substantive relationship with the Liberian government through the newly appointed honorary consul, adding that he was struck by the scale of development Mr. Jeety had driven in Liberia.
He pledged to brief both the Slovak government and its citizens on Mr. Jeety’s contributions and investments in Liberia.
Amb. Podstavet also described Jeety’s investment in Weala as impressive, saying Slovakia was proud to have Mr. Jeety as its Honorary Consul in Liberia. The companies’ social operations include the dedication of nine deep borehole wells in Weala that provide free and safe drinking water, with a combined capacity of more than 18,000 gallons per day, serving more than 6,000 people.
Other initiatives include the ongoing expansion of the companies’ 50-bed clinic to feature four operating theaters and a dedicated eye clinic, the establishment of a $10,000 annual district scholarship fund, and a daily feeding program.
Additional projects include the donation of a fully equipped ambulance for emergency medical services, regular eye-care outreach programs, sponsorship of specialized treatments for patients requiring advanced medical care, and financial and technical support for Margibi County sports teams.
