Liberia had significant barriers to trade, including import tariffs that were among the highest in West Africa and the world. Import bans and restrictions, inadequate trade capacity, minimal intellectual property right enforcement, poor infrastructure and licensing, and corruption added to the cost of trade.
The third project of the Liberian Threshold Program supported efforts to improve trade policy and practices, and complemented other donor efforts in this area. The program supported harmonizing tariffs to international standards by training Liberian officials and launching a multimedia reform awareness campaign. The program supported efforts to reduce non-tariff trade barriers through by increasing engagement with regional and global organizations and by improving the regulatory environment. The program also supported the passage of a new customs code, updated regulations, a public information campaign, and training for relevant stakeholders. Finally, the program supported protection of intellectual property rights, including legislation amendments and trainings.
Project Goals
- Raise awareness and support implementation of tariff harmonization.
- Strengthen Liberia’s trade policy by increasing conformity with international standards.
- Modernize Liberia’s customs practices to increase transparency and quality and improve compliance with existing legislation.
- Strengthen efforts to protect intellectual property rights.