From All Africa

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has formally launched the Liberia National Trade Policy 2014-2019 and the Liberia National Export Strategy 2014-2019 which outlines government’s strategy for creating inclusive growth through trade competitiveness.

The Trade Policy is government’s overarching strategy for steering the country towards regional integration into ECOWAS and multilateral integration into the World Trade Organization.

“Let me say we have a very strong commitment to government’s accessing the World Trade Organization because it has multiple benefits and open markets create new opportunities not only domestically but regionally and internationally,” President Sirleaf said.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader made the statement at the formal opening of the Second Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Conference and Trade Fair at the Monrovia City Hall on Tuesday, April 29. The conference is being held under the theme: “From Vision to Implementation – Buying Liberian, Building Liberia.”

President Sirleaf emphasized that to support these businesses, the National Export Strategy will provide support to six key sectors where the best opportunities exists to generate export diversification. She named rice, oil palm, rubber, cocoa, cassava, and fisheries. “Through implementing this strategy, we expect to create a vibrant and diversified export basket and open new markets and opportunities for business owners,” the Liberian leader said.

The Liberian leader emphasized that the success of MSMEs is fundamental to the future of the country’s economy. She noted that though the number of formal SMEs remains small, it continues to grow each year. Currently Liberia has over 10,000 formally registered businesses.

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