Friday: April 16, 2021: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), in collaboration with Trade Policy Training Center in Africa (TRAPCA), has concluded a weeklong capacity building workshop on Critical Aspects of Trade in Services Negotiations in Liberia.

The workshop, graced by senior level participants from line ministries and agencies of government, as well as others from the    private sector took place in Sinkor, Monrovia, from April 12- 16, 2021.

The exercise was part of efforts aimed at creating   awareness on the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. Liberia has been making frantic strides, through collaboration with relevant partners for the ratification of the AfCFTA Agreement.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Deputy Commerce Minister for Trade Services, George D. Wolo, hailed the Liberian Government and partners for ongoing collaboration intended to ratify the AfCFTA Agreement.

Mr. Wolo, welcoming the participants on behalf of Commerce and Industry Minister, Mawine G. Diggs, particularly lauded Trade Policy Training Center in Africa (TRAPCA) for its numerous contributions in making international trade a success.

Deputy Minister Wolo also hailed the European Union for its financial support toward the weeklong capacity building workshop held in Liberia.

He said the exercise was in preparation of services negotiations under the AfCFTA Agreement and hence encouraged the participants to seek requisite inquiries on issues arising from the workshop.

The Deputy Commerce Minister for Trade Services also urged the participants   to tap into the expertise of trade policy experts in understanding and identifying critical aspects of services negotiations in the context of the African Continental  Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Also speaking, the Head of Trade Policy Training Center in Africa, Dr. Caiphas Chekwoti, said the weeklong capacity building workshop was aimed at preparing Liberia for the AfCFTA negotiations.

While providing an overview of the workshop, Dr. Chekwoti commended the Liberian Government, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for the warm reception accorded his delegation.

 The training focused on developing a thorough understanding of key concepts in trade services, particularly those arising from AFCFTA Agreement and their potential impact on Liberia by gaining knowledge regarding the options which may be negotiated in AFCFTA Trade in Services, as well as modus operandi of services negotiations with advanced economies.

The workshop also sought to   analyze potential consequences of various options in services liberalization regarding Liberia’s proposed Schedule of Commitments, give understanding of recent developments in trade agreements and their practical implications on Liberia.

At the close of the weeklong exercise, the participants were awarded certificates.

Jacob N.B. Parley

Communications Director

Emails: jacobtheancestot@yahoo.com/jparley@moci.gov.lr

Contacts: 0777604576/0886560455

WhatsAPP: 0881336137