Speeches

Statement by ITC Executive Director Arancha González on Liberia’s WTO accession

17 December 2015
ITC News

(Nairobi, Kenya) – Let me again congratulate Liberia and welcome it to the WTO. Liberia has taken a giant step forward in making policy and regulatory reforms towards ease of doing business in the process of their accession to the WTO.

ITC has assisted Liberia in developing its National Trade Policy and National Export Strategy. These documents are guides for Liberia to undertake institutional reforms and providing support services to enable businesses, especially SMEs, to integrate into the global economy. It would contribute to inclusive development by ensuring that the poor, in particular women, are able to participate equitably in the economic growth.

Now the time has come to implement these reforms in the right earnest and reap the benefits of WTO membership.

I would like to congratulate H.E. President Sirleaf for adopting the executive order for the implementation of Liberia well-articulated post-accession plan, which, inter alia, emphasizes on:

1. Trade facilitation reforms to reduce costs of doing business and enhance competitiveness;
2. Economic diversification and value addition by selecting value chains contributing to job creation and improved livelihood; and
3. Compliance with SPS and TBT requirements to target the lucrative markets.
We, in the ITC, have already taken initial steps to start implementing some of these elements of Liberia’s post-accession strategy. Accordingly, ITC is embarking on the development of comprehensive export strategies for the Tourism and Wood-Furniture sectors.

The tourism sector presents significant employment potential, scope for national brand development, and potential development of feeder services, which will help lift the economy, especially in the post Ebola context.
The wood furniture sector presents tremendous scope for developing value-addition capabilities and to tap into the potential to attract investors.

ITC will also assist Liberia in proper implementation of their WTO commitments from the private sector perspective. For instance, by:

• Coordinating the future implementation of the policy reforms of the National Trade policy in line with the Post Accession Plan;
• Supporting the implementing the trade facilitation reforms; and
• Making businesses understand the WTO commitments to improve their competitiveness.

Today, we all agree that Liberia needs generous support of the international community to make the most of its WTO membership, in particular the SMEs to fully integrate into the global economy. ITC stands ready to accompany Liberia in its journey towards prosperity of its people. I appeal to development partners to help Liberia tap into its economic potential and develop confidence in the global trading system.

Notes to the editor:

ITC is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.