In an effort to improve the Liberian economy, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry plans to adopt a new Licensing Policy on the importation of flour in the country. During a consultative meeting with major importers and other stakeholders at the Ministry on Wednesday September 10, 2014, Commerce Minister, Axel M. Addy, informed the attendees of the Proposed Policy and solicited views and suggestions on the proposed policy to govern the Flour Market.

The new Licensing Policy on Flour is expected to be

• Transparent and predictable through the institution of Licensing Regime;
• Structured market as the defined category of operators;
• Driven by principles of inclusive growth through import substitution with emphasis on protection of domestic production for employment opportunities for Liberians;
• A balanced approach aligning market demands with local production and importation short of local productive capacity;
• Align with the Ministry of Health & Social Welfare Food Fortification to curtail micronutrient deficiencies;
• Pre-shipment quality inspection and in Country quality inspection required for compliance. (Through testing of Flour samples at the National Standards Laboratory (NSL).

The Proposed New Policy will be classified in three (3) categories:

1. Class A: Major Importer

• Imports 25%, purchase 25% which is 50% of total market of 500
• 250 containers (125 imported, 125 local)
• License Fee: USD50,000.00 per year

      2. Class B: Importer 

• Imports 15%, purchase 15% which is 30% of total market of 500
• 150 containers (75 imported, 75 local)
• License Fee: USD30,000.00 per year

       3. Class C: Special Importer (specialized flour-required testing and inclusion set asides for nationals)

• Imports 10%, purchase 10% which is 20% of total market of 500
• 100 containers (50 imported, 50 local)
• License Fee: USD20,000.00 per year

The Importers and Stakeholders concerns;

• Importers & other Stakeholders made inquiries regards to the number of business entities to be selected for the Licensing policy;
• Suggestions were made relative to the fees at various levels and recommendations were made with regards to a price restructure for the new Policy.

Hon. Axel M. Addy in conclusion thanked the Major Importers and Stakeholders for their continue support to the Country’s economy and assured them of more consultations on the document with all parties involved.