The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in partnership with ECOWAS has completed a one day symposium on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Under the Theme: Rising Awareness for the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), held at the Krystal Ocean View Hotel in Mamba Point Monrovia on the 8th of April 2014.

The Acting Minister of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Hon. Cyril A. Allen II welcome all participants and expressed appreciation for attending this all important symposium, he maintained that Liberia endorses trade Liberalization, regional and global market integration; and gave consideration to the impact of the ECOWAS Partnership Agreement (EPA) to our local and international markets.

The Acting Minister further stressed that Europe is a traditional trading partner with countries in West Africa including Liberia. Therefore, the EPA is viewed as strengthening the already trade relations.
The main objective of this all important symposium of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is to identify the following issues:

•    Identify, articulate and synchronized trade program.
•    Considers the effects tariff dismantling of the member countries to ensure it is not affected by trade liberalization.
•    Reciprocity, through the establishment of Free Trade Areas (FTA) which will conform to the WTO regulations and build regional liberalization process in the ACP countries.

During the program there were presentations made by various speakers who discussed various trade issues ranging from sustainable growth and deepening regional integration. The program brought together cross sections of the Liberian Business Communities and other institutions including:

•    Liberia Chamber of Commerce
•    Liberia Manufacturing Association
•    Liberia Marketing Association
•    Lebanese Culture Union
•    Liberia Transport Union
•    COLIMBO
•    ECOWAS
•    World Bank
•    European Union
•    UNDP
•    And selected Government Ministries and Agencies.

At the close of the symposium, the Acting Minister of Commence and Industry thank the participants and organizers for their efforts. He hoped that this symposium will be the first of many that would take place in Liberia especially the leeward counties which are integral part of our economic developmental drive.