Liberia Advances its Accession to the World Trade Organization

Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and MoCI Technical Team with US Director for Accession and the Head of the WTO Secretariat.jpg Photo Credit:

 WTO Accession Updates

The WTO Accession Negotiations of Liberia are on the threshold of conclusion.  The negotiations were initiated in 2007 based on the application from the Government of Liberia.  Upon the instruction of H.E. Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President of Liberia, the negotiating team of the Liberian Government has used Liberia's accession negotiations, strategically, as an instrument for domestic reforms designed, inter alia, for post-conflict reconstruction and national reconciliation and to integrate Liberia into the global economy on the basis of the WTO core values of the market economy, good governance, transparency and the rule of law.  As directed by President Johnson-Sirleaf, Liberia has met these objectives as set by the President.  Full realization of the benefits shall be work in progress and shall entail a focused WTO Post-Accession Support Strategy for Liberia", upon membership.  

 

Technically, at this stage, the draft Accession’s Package is being completed by Secretariat.  Factually, several key points are to be noted:  

 

1. Market Access: In keeping with Accession’s Roadmap, Liberia has concluded bilateral negotiations on its market access with Japan, Canada, EU, US, Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
2. Agriculture:  Liberia has concluded its negotiations on Agriculture and members have accepted its Agriculture Supporting Tables.
3. Rules: The updated Draft Report of the Working Party has been completed and circulated with members.
4. Third Working Party Meeting: On July 24th the Liberian delegation participated in the Third Working Party Meeting and a technical team concluded the with technical working sessions after meeting to conclude any outstanding issues. Subsequently, a Technical Verification Meeting was held on July 28, 2015, on the consolidations of bilateral agreements, updated Draft Working Party Report and the Legislative Action Plan
5. Chair and Director’s Visit: Invitation letter extended to Working Party Chair and Director of Accession Division for visit week of August 25-28, for Stakeholder engagements with public and private sectors including meetings with Cabinet, Leadership of Legislature and Private Sector Stakeholders including various associations (LIBA, Chamber of Commerce, professional associations).
6. October 8, 2015 – 4th and Final Working Party Meeting: Conclusion of Liberia’s accession negotiations and adoption of the Draft Accession Package, ad referendum.
7. MC10 (Kenya) 15-18 December: Trade Ministers at Ministerial 10 (MC10) Conference in Nairobi shall consider Accession Package for formal approval. President invited to sign Liberia’s Accession Protocol with WTO Director General.

1. Administrative Regulation:MCI/No.002/2018; Administrative Regulation On The Establishment Of The Liberia National Trade Facilitation Committee
   27th August 2019 | Size: 4.09 MB | File Type: pdf
2. WTO Update on Liberia Post Accession Commitments 2017
   20th December 2018 | Size: 228 KB | File Type: pdf
3. WTO Accessions Newsletter No.71, March 2017
   6th April 2017 | Size: 921 KB | File Type: pdf
4. Liberia Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) Assessment
   22nd March 2017 | Size: 1.78 MB | File Type: pdf
5. Liberia Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) Assessment Action Plan
   22nd March 2017 | Size: 388 KB | File Type: pdf
6. Liberia WTO Post Accession Plan
   11th August 2016 | Size: 1.3 MB | File Type: pdf
7. LIBERIA’S ACCESSION TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)
   22nd December 2015 | Size: 205 KB | File Type: pdf
8. PUBS-2015-8-EN-ACC-NEWSLETTER-15-9-2015.pdf
   16th September 2015 | Size: 373 KB | File Type: pdf
9. WTO "A Question and Answer Booklet" Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
   19th August 2015 | Size: 178 KB | File Type: pdf
10. WTO Accessions Newsletter
    24th July 2015 | Size: 587 KB | File Type: pdf
11. WTO ACCESSION NEWSLETTER 2015-01-EN
    29th January 2015 | Size: 437 KB | File Type: pdf
12. Liberia WTO Accession Gains Highlighted by the World Trade Organization
    4th November 2014 | Size: 442 KB | File Type: pdf
13. Fifth WTO Accessions Newsletter in 2014
    26th May 2014 | Size: 389 KB | File Type: pdf