WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
15 December  2023 
(23-8589) Page: 1/33 
Trade Policy Review Body  
24 and 26 May 2023  Original: English/Spanish  
anglais/espagnol  
inglés/español  
 
  
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
LIBERIA  
MINUTES  OF THE MEETING  
Addendum  
Chairperson: H.E. Mr. Saquer Abdullah Almoqbel (Saudi Arabia)  
This document contains the advance written questions  and additional questions by WTO 
Members , and replies provided by  Liberia .1 
 
 
Organe d'examen des politiques commerciales  
24 et 26 mai 2023  
EXAMEN DES POLITIQUES COMMERCIALES  
LIBÉRIA 
COMPTE RENDU DE LA R ÉUNION  
Addendum  
Président : S.E.  M. Saquer Abdullah Almoqbel (Arabie Saoudite)  
Le présent document contient les questions écrites communiquées à l'avance par les 
Membres de l'OMC, leurs questions additionnelles, et les réponses  fournies par  le Libéria .1 
 
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
24 y 26 de mayo de 2023  
EXAMEN DE LAS POLÍTICAS COMERCIALES  
LIBERIA  
ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN  
Addendum  
Presidente: Excmo.  Sr. Saquer Abdullah Almoqbel (Arabia Saudita)  
En el presente documento figuran las preguntas presentadas anticipadament e por escrito  y 
las preguntas adicionales de los Miembros de la OMC,  así como las respues tas facilitadas por  Liberia .1 
  
 
1 In English and Spanish only./ En anglais et espagnol seulement./En inglés y español solamente.  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Table of Contents  
CANADA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............................  7 
DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 19 
EUROPEAN  UNION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  20 
SINGAPORE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  23 
UNITED  KINGDOM  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  24 
UNITED  STATES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  29 
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  CANADA  
PART 3: TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
 
Page 54, Paragraph 3.112.  
 
This section notes that the participation of foreign suppliers in public procurements was 66% in 2018 
and 0.3% in 2021, and that possible reasons for this fluctuation include the influence of the COVID -
19 pandemic and the restrictions affecting global trade.  Table 3.9 (page 55) further shows the 
participation of foreign suppliers, by year, from 2018 -21. The data in th is table shows that while the 
percentage of foreign suppliers was 66% in 2018, this percentage dropped to 10% in 2019, before 
rising to 28% in 2020 and falling again to 0.3% in 2021.  
 
Question:  
 
1. Noting that the disruptions to global trade caused by the COV ID-19 pandemic are often 
recorded as beginning in the first half of 2020, a significant drop in the percentage of foreign 
suppliers from 66% in 2018 to 10% in 2019 (especially considering a steady total value of 
public procurements at USD 97.7M in 2018 and  USD 91.7M in 2019), prior to these 2020 
disruptions, would appear to indicate that other factors may have had an impact on the 
participation of foreign suppliers during this period. Could Liberia please provide its views on 
what other factors may explain this variation in the data?  
Response:  Firstly, a major reason for this variation is the classification of the ownership of the 
suppliers. The majority of foreign suppliers are involved in the construction sector of Liberia; these 
businesses won bids in pre vious years and when they are settled in country, they establish 
themselves as domestic businesses during successive bidding processes. As per the Liberian 
procurement law, domestic businesses (Foreign businesses registered under Liberian law) are not 
considered as foreign and therefore, if they win contracts, which in many instances are conducted 
under the National Competitive or Restricted bidding process, though foreign -owned, they are 
classified as registered Liberian business.  
Currently, the Commission  (PPCC) is reviewing the Public Procurement Act of 2010; we are certain 
that the redefinition of “Domestic Business” in the Act generally defined as a foreign business 
registered in Liberia as well as the involvement of foreign businesses to be enabled by the rollout of 
the eProcurement migration will enable the involvement of more foreign participation beginning 
2024 and beyond.  
 
One significant factor contributing to this variation primarily stems from the classification of supplier 
ownership. A considera ble proportion of the suppliers operating in Liberia are engaged in the 
construction sector. These suppliers, predominantly foreign -owned, have successfully secured 
contracts in previous years. Upon establishing their presence in the country, they undergo a process 
of registering themselves as domestic businesses, adhering to the requirements of Liberian law. 
Consequently, during subsequent bidding processes, these suppliers, despite their foreign 
ownership, are considered and treated as registered Liberian  businesses in accordance with the 
Liberian procurement law. This classification holds true even when they win contracts through 
mechanisms such as the National Competitive or Restricted bidding processes, which are typically 
designed to promote fair compe tition.  
Presently, the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) is undertaking a 
comprehensive review of the Public Procurement Act of 2010. This review process aims to redefine 
the term "Domestic Business" within the Act, which currently encomp asses foreign businesses 
registered in Liberia. The anticipated outcome of this redefinition is the facilitation of increased 
foreign participation in procurement processes, particularly with the implementation of the 
eProcurement migration scheduled to co mmence in 2024.  
 
The redefinition of "Domestic Business" is expected to broaden its scope to explicitly include foreign 
businesses operating within Liberia. This revision will effectively recognize and acknowledge the 
involvement of foreign enterprises in the country's procurement landscape. Additionally, the 
upcoming rollout of the eProcurement system will further enhance the framework for procurement 
activities. The introduction of this digital platform is anticipated to streamline processes, improve 
transparency, and create a more conducive environment for increased foreign participation in 
procurement endeavors.  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  By aligning the legal definitions with the practical realities of foreign businesses operating in Liberia, 
the PPCC's review of the Public Procu rement Act and the subsequent implementation of the 
eProcurement system will likely foster a more inclusive and competitive procurement environment, 
paving the way for heightened foreign involvement from 2024 onwards.  
 
Page 55, Paragraph 3.115.  
 
This section notes that procuring entities are required to set aside 25% of public procurements for 
MSMEs, with 5% reserved for women -owned MSMEs. The report states that this has not been applied 
in practice. Previously, Section 3.68 (page 47) noted that this s et-aside for MSMEs is mandated by 
Liberia’s Small Business Empowerment Act.  
 
Question:  
 
2. Could Liberia please specify which barriers have prevented contracting entities from 
reserving 25% of public procurements to MSMEs and/ or 5% to women -owned MSMEs?  
Resp onse: There has been no barriers preventing contracting entities from reserving 25% of 
public procurement to MSMEs or 5% to women -owned MSMEs because it is mandatory for 
contracting entities to prepared annual MSMEs procurement plans and set aside the 25 a nd 5% 
for MSMEs; however, the low capacities of women -owned MSMEs as well as the business sectors 
they are interested in are normally the lowest contract thresholds available for such sectors. 
Furthermore, Liberia’s Public Procurement “ 2022 Compliance with  Quarterly Reporting”  
report for the first, second and third quarters reveals that 43.9% of contracts were awarded to 
MSMEs.  
 
Page 56, Paragraph 3.118.  
 
This section notes that Liberia does not have an e -procurement system, but that the Public 
Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCA) has been working to build one.  
 
Question:  
 
3. Could Liberia please provide an update with regard to the status of the planned e -
procurement system, as well as estimated timelines for completion and implementation?  
Response: Currently a draft procurement law has been submitted to the World Bank for their 
input on the proposed e -procurement bidding process; additionally, the bid evaluation process 
for the recommended firm to install, train users and manage the platform has been  completed 
and forwarded to the World Bank for no objection. We are hopeful that the two processes will 
be approved and the law will be forwarded to the Legislature and the office of the President for 
final approval and enactment so the system can be pilot ed and rollout in 2024.  
 
Page 60, paragraphs 3.145 & 3.147  
 
The Secretariat Report notes Liberia’s Intellectual Property Development Plan (IPDP), which 
launched in 2017, as seeking to identify and address constraints in the IP System (e.g. low levels of 
IP awareness among citizens, inadequate infrastructure to support the use of IP for economic 
development, etc.). The IPDP has since set out three national strategic objectives: (i) develop Liberia 
as an IP powerhouse; (ii) build an IP -conscious nation; and ( iii) build a business -friendly IP 
enforcement system  
 
Question:  
 
4. Can Liberia provide more information on related progress or outputs since the IPDP’s 
inception in 2017?  
 
Response:  Liberia has made progress since the inception of the IPDP in 2017. Liberia has 
continued its IP awareness strategy not only in Monrovia, the Capital but also in additional two 
counties. The IP office has one of Liberia’s coming up Artist, T Crack (author o f “Let’s go 
Buchanan” song) as one of its ambassadors, it has a copyright hour on one of the local radio WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  stations every Saturday. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with six (6) 
Universities and Research Institutions as Technology Innovatio n Support Centers (TISCs) host 
institutions. There has been more awareness created in primary and secondary schools through 
the establishment of IP clubs.  
 
An integrated Intellectual Property Automated System is in its concluding stage for the use of 
the IP office and its client based. There is an established MOU between the IP office and the 
Ministry of Health through the Complimentary/Alternative Medicine Unit for the creation of IP 
awareness amongst traditional medicine practitioners.  The IP office wit h aid from the WIPO 
Covid19 package, has established IP Management Clinics for SMEs. The IP office is a member of 
the ad -hoc committee on the development of a roadmap for geographical indication amongst 
ARIPO member states. The IP office has established a CMO Secretariat as well as engaged in an 
ongoing Accessible Book Consortium (ABC) Project financed by WIPO for visually impaired and 
print-disabled community. The enforcement and compliance of Intellectual Property Rights has 
remained a challenge.  
 
PART 4:  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
 
Page  63, paragraphs  4.8 and 4.9  
 
The Secretariat report mentions the establishment of the Liberia Agriculture Commodity Regulatory 
Authority (LACRA), replacing the Liberian Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) in 2018. As per the  
Report, LACRA is mandated to regulate agricultural commodities such as cocoa, coffee, and oil palm 
products, and to promote their production, storage, processing, marketing, and exports as well as 
in fixing the reference price for local producer products.  
 
Question:  
 
5. Could Liberia provide an overview of its progress in implementing LACRA's mandate, 
especially in face of the challenges it is experiencing in monitoring compliance in the border 
regions according to the Secretariat report?  
Response: The Liberi a Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority have devised means to 
work with the National Security apparatus to share information on cross boarder trading 
activities. We developed a hotline to received reports from across the country.  
We are continuing t o engage with central government to increase allotment and budgetary 
support, while working with donors to build the capacity of our staffs working in compliance, 
monitoring and evaluation.  
 
Page  63, paragraph  4.10 
 
The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is mainly active in agricultural research and 
setting up demonstration sites, according to the authorities.  
 
Question:  
 
6. What are the active agricultural research projects being undertaken by CARI? Please 
elaborate on CARI’s role in setting up demonstration sites, for instance by providing Canada 
with an example.  
Response:  
• CARI is multiplying rice and cassava seeds for the W orld Bank -funded MoA projects;  
• CARI has demonstration plots for the Integrated Rice and Fish Program funded by the 
European Union, showcasing the mutually reinforcing benefits of growing rice and fish in 
the same space;  
• CARI has established Liberia’s first  National Cocoa Seed Garden which will provide high 
quality certified cocoa seedlings for cocoa farmers in Liberia.  
 
Page 64, paragraph 4.15  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  The Secretariat report mentions that Liberia has not made a notification on domestic support or 
export subsidies ye t since its WTO accession in 2016.  
 
Domestic support and export subsidies notifications help to underpin the work of the WTO Committee 
on Agriculture and the information in the notifications allow Members to monitor the implementation 
of commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture.  
 
Questions:  
 
7. Could Liberia indicate if they have encountered technical issues or challenges that affect 
their ability to submit domestic support and export subsidies notifications?  
 
8. Could Liberia advise if they will be submitt ing a domestic support or export subsidies 
notification in the near future?  
 
Response: Domestic support in the agriculture sector has come as in kind projectized support 
to selected beneficiaries. Most especially in the wake of the COVID -19 crisis, and more recently 
with the global economic and supply -side repercussions from the war in the U kraine, the MoA 
has given out stimulus packages of seeds, tools, cash and equipment grants.  
• No export subsidies have been granted.  
• The Ministry of Agriculture, with technical and policy support from the USAID LEPDA 
project is currently examining various mo dels for applying subsidies to the rice sector in 
an effort to support the commercialization of rice production. These may include transport 
subsidies for processors and distributors; as well as price supports to smallholder farmers 
at farmgate.  
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  CHINA  
PART I: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE Secretariat Report   
 
Page 6, Para 6  
Liberia participates in ECOWAS but is yet to ratify the AfCFTA  treaty and sign the EPA with the 
European Union. Liberia currently grants tariff preferences only under the ECOWAS Trade 
Liberalization Scheme. Liberia acceded to the WTO on 14 July 2016 and this report is prepared for 
its first Trade Policy Review.  
 
Question: 
 
1. Why Liberia has not ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) in 
5 years after signing it in March 2018? (According to the report of the Government of Liberia, the 
Senate has ratified the agreement, but the House of Represe ntatives still hasn't.)  
 
Response:  The delay by the authority in the ratification of the AfCFTA is largely attributed to 
ongoing stakeholder engagements . The approval from the House of Representatives has been 
assured . At the time of this report, these e ngagements have progressed to an advanced stage, 
including the lobbying the House of Representatives for their concurrence with the Senate. We have 
been assured by the honourable House of Representatives of the concurrence in their next sitting.  
 
Page 6, P ara 7  
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) is responsible for formulating and implementing 
policies on trade. Liberia has submitted a number of notifications to the WTO, but has several 
outstanding notifications in areas such as agriculture, import  licensing procedures, pre -shipment 
inspection, and customs valuation. The ratification process for the WTO Agreement on Fisheries 
Subsidies is yet to start. Many of Liberia's trade - and investment -related laws were promulgated at 
the time of Liberia's acc ession to the WTO. However, in general, implementing regulations remain 
pending.  
 
Question:  
 
2. Does Liberia have any follow -up implementation plan or specific schedule for the implementing 
regulations that have not been promulgated?  
 
Response:  Liberia is implementing regulations developed for domestic and foreign trade in the 
country through various Ministries, Agencies and Commissions of Government linked to the trade 
environment. Implementing regulations are currently being drafted by various  competent 
authorities. Each government functionary implement regulation based on its statutory mandate. 
There is no specific schedule set for promulgating the regulations.  
 
Page 6, 32, 40, Para 8, 3.7, 3.32  
8. Pre -shipment inspection was abolished and rep laced by destination inspection by Liberian 
customs.  
3.7. Nonetheless, destination inspection is being conducted by MedTech Scientific Limited, a 
company contracted by the Government.  
3.32. For the destination inspection service provided at the Free Port o f Monrovia, where more than 
90% of international trade takes place in Liberia, MedTech Scientific Limited collects fees. These fees 
are specific: for example, for a 20 ft containerized shipment, the fee is USD 280 per container. For 
a 40 ft containerized s hipment, the fee is USD 400 per container. Customs collects customs service 
fees for destination inspection services it provides at all other border entry points in Liberia. They 
are ad valorem: 1.2% of the c.i.f. value of imports.  
 
Question s: 
 
3. Pre-shipment inspection is a common regulatory tool adopted in many countries. The Liberian 
customs abolished and replaced it with destination inspection, what are the considerations behind 
this move?  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Response:  The move to transition to destination inspec tion is in conformity with Article 10.5 of the 
TFA which states that “Members shall not require the use of pre -shipment inspections in relation to 
tariff Classification and customs valuation”.  
 
4. Should all the import goods be subject to destination inspecti on? If not, under what circumstances 
or which kind of goods should be subject to destination inspection? Is there a clear goods list?  
 
Response:  Not all goods/consignments are subject to inspection. We implement Customs control 
base on risk management.  Ou r risk profiling is based on several parameters and has four channels. 
There are several criteria that inform the risk management.  
 
5. The Government appointed the contracted MedTech Scientific Limited to conduct the destination 
inspection. Is this practice a gainst the principle of fair competition in the market? Will the 
information of the impositions (including the reason of the impositions, the department in charge 
and the time and mode of payment) be disclosed in a non -discriminate and accessible way?  
 
Response:  The selection of the company was done through a fair and transparent bidding process 
as required by our public procurement law. There were several bidders amongst whom there was a 
winner. It does not undermine fair competition in any way.  
 
6. Will the service fee during destination inspection create extra expense to the export -oriented 
companies? Is the levy of the fee reasonable?  
 
Response:  The fees are not unreasonable and do not create extra expense for most export -oriented 
companies as they have  concession agreements which specify their payables.  
 
7. Does Liberia have plans to phase out the collection of such fees to the extent practicable?  
 
Response:  There are plans to phase out the collection of fees to the extent possible wich is stated 
in the co ncession agreement. This plan also envisages for Customs to take over all Customs matters 
and end outsourcing of Customs function(s).  
 
Page 7, 34, Para 10, 11, 3.17  
10.Liberia has bound 100% of its tariff lines within a range of zero to 50%. Although most applied 
MFN rates are considerably lower than the bound rates, the applied rates exceed their bindings in 
73 tariff lines.  
11.In Liberia's case, migration to the ECOWAS CET by 2028 would lead to an increase in the overall 
level of tariff prot ection. In fact, with the full implementation of the ECOWAS CET without exceptions, 
Liberia's average MFN tariff would increase to 12.1% (up from 10.3% in 2023). About 30.3% of all 
tariff lines would have their rates increased. Significant tariff adjustmen ts are ahead, especially for 
agricultural products.  
3.17. Most of these exceptions are in the 15% band (1,411 tariff lines) and cover, inter alia, iron 
and steel products (HS 73), fish (HS 03), and electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85).  
 
Question s: 
 
8. What are the reasons for the implementation of 73 tariff lines that exceed the bound rates and 
what are the specific 73 tariff lines?  
 
Response: As this statement does not reflect the provisions of our tariff lines,  we will appreciate if 
China could please share with us the 73 tariff lines that the applied rates exceed the binding rates.  
 
9. Does Liberia agree to follow ECOWAS to increase the overall level of tariff protection continuously 
to 2028?  
 
Response:  Yes 
 
10. Currently, the products under HS73 and HS85 are subject to exceptional tariffs. After the 
transition to the common external tariff of the Economic Community of West African States in 
2028, what will happen to the tax rates of the products under these two t ax categories?  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Response:  We have not considered those to be exceptional rates as they will be rates applied by 
the ECOWAS Customs Union.  
 
Page 7, 14, 16, Para 13, 1.17, 1.21  
13. Import prohibitions, restrictions, and permit requirements are applied on var ious grounds, such 
as safety, security, and environmental protection, and for SPS reasons. Liberia has moved to an 
automatic import licensing regime; all imports now require an Import Notification Form for statistical 
purposes.  
1.17. Table 1.3 Balance of p ayments, 2016 -21 
1.21. As identified in Liberia's National Trade Policy, there is a lack of reliable and timely trade data 
in the country.34 The United Nations Comtrade database has no data on Liberia's trade flows, while 
trade values calculated from mirro r data (i.e. partners' data) are around 10 times the values 
recorded by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geoinformation Services.35 Trade data captured 
in the ASYCUDA system does not contain export values of mineral products, while mineral exports 
such as iron ore are a very important source of export revenue. Of these data sources, the CBL 
seems to be the best compromise.  
 
Question s: 
 
11. Has "single window" docking been implemented to the automatic import licensing regime?  
 
Response:  The Ministry of Co mmerce and Industry on behalf of the government of Liberia has 
secure funding from the world Bank through the Liberia Investment Finance and Trade Project (LIFT -
P) for the procurement of the National Single Window for Trade. The said procurement was approv ed 
in the annual work plan as activity for this year under the project. The Ministry of Commerce and 
Industry is currently concluding discussions with the Liberia Revenue Authority on the model of 
single window to deploy.  
 
12. When the mirror data of the other  country is taken as the import data, it usually means that 
the import data under the trade in goods adopts FOB value, which is inconsistent with the 
international practice that "most countries adopt CIF value for import" mentioned in 4.7 of the 
United Nat ions International Merchandise Trade Statistics: Concepts and Definitions 2010. But 
the report also mentioned that for statistical purposes, all imports would be subject to an import 
notification. Please describe the type of value on which the value of the  goods in the import 
notification is reported. Please explain the reasons for not using the value of goods in the Import 
Notification Form as statistical information for import data.  
 
Response:  The Value of goods is currently being used in the Import Notif ication Forms.  
 
13. What type of value data is used as the basis for determining the duty -paid price of imported 
goods in Liberia?  
 
Response : Liberia is implementing Article VII of GATT or (WTO’s Agreement for Customs Valuation) 
which requires the use of price  actually paid as the primary method for Customs valuation. We can 
only reference historical data where the declared value is rejected and the secondary method is 
being considered.  
 
Page 7, Para 14 
All exports require a licence (Export Permit Declaration) from the MoCI and, in addition, several 
regulatory agencies have special export permit requirements.  
 
Question s: 
 
14. Does Liberia have any plan in relaxing export control? For example, remove licensing 
restrictions on the export of certain goods.  
 
Response : Yes. Liberia has plans to remove licensing restrictions on the export of certain goods, 
especially those goods that pose lower risk to human, plant and animal health. For example, goods 
such as iron ore, logs, gold, rubber. However, a mon itoring system  based on international best 
practices will be put into place.  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Page 7, Para 16  
While Liberia has made some progress in modernizing its TBT and SPS regimes, it is however facing 
capacity constraints in implementing them. The Liberia National Standards Act establishing the 
Liberia Standards Authority entered into force in 2022 but is not yet operational. Liberia has provided 
five TBT notifications and one SPS notification, with no specific trade concern being raised in the 
WTO TBT and SPS Committees. All Liberia Standards and SPS measures are based on regional or 
international standards, according to the authorities. Liberia adopted a new Food Law in 2017, which 
provides for, inter alia, the establishment of an independent Food Safety A uthority (not yet 
established). The legal framework for phytosanitary and veterinary measures is obsolete but work 
on new draft legislation is under way, according to the authorities.  
 
Question:  
 
15. What is the current status of the implementation of the new Food Law passed in 2017? Please 
provide relevant information. When will the Food Safety Authority be established?  
 
Response:  The Implementation of the food law depends on the establishment of the food safety 
authority. There are ongoing plans  to establish  the Food Safety Authority by July 2023.  
 
Page 8, Para 18 
Liberia is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the African Regional 
Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). It is also a contracting party to international conven tions 
and treaties on the protection of intellectual property rights. Liberia adopted an Intellectual Property 
Act in 2016, which covers copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, patents and utility models, and 
layout -designs of integrated circuits, as w ell as geographical indications. Also in 2016, Liberia 
established the Liberia Intellectual Property Office. The country is however faced with a low level of 
intellectual property awareness and generation, and weak enforcement.  
 
Question:  
 
16. What are Liberia's follow -up plans in strengthening intellectual property rights?  
 
Response : The IP office has established a Collective Management Organization (CMO) Secretariat 
as well as engaged in an ongoing Accessible Book Consortium (ABC) Project financed by W IPO for 
visually impaired and print -disabled community. The implementation of programs have not been 
fully utilized due to little budgetary appropriation from National Government.  
 
Page 8, Para 22  
However, unlicensed and illegal mining in the artisanal mining sector remains a challenge.  
 
Question:  
 
17. Please indicate whether Liberia has any specific plans to curb illegal mining.  
 
Response:  Liberia has plans to curb illegal mining activities. Those plans include formalizing the 
informal mining, through community engagement and enhanced coordination amongst law 
enforcement agencies.  
 
Page 19, Para 1.28  
FDI inflows decreased by half from 2020 to 2021 (Table 1.2). The decline is more obvious when 
compared with the level at the beginning of t he review period: USD 45.7 million FDI flowed into 
Liberia, accounting for only 10% of the level in 2016 (USD 453.2 million) (Table 1.2)....  
 
Question:  
 
18. The Chinese -funded enterprises in Liberia complain that the security environment in Liberia is 
poor, with frequent occurrence of theft and robbery, seriously limited police law enforcement 
capacity, low detection rate, and many unsolved homicide cases. This brings significant 
uncertainty to the operation of Chinese -funded enterprises and increases s ecurity costs. Could 
Liberia explain what measures it will take in the future to improve its business environment, 
especially its public security environment, to curb the trend of further decline in foreign 
investment?  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Response:  Liberia attaches importance  to public safety and better business environment. This is 
evident by action such as increase in its budgetary appropriations for the security sector in the 
national budget. The increase in funding for the law enforcement agencies will provide training and  
equipment which will contribute to effective reduction in crime rates.  
 
Page 26, Para 2.35 
A 2017 MoCI report stated that potential benefits from these preferential schemes and agreements 
are dampened by cumbersome rules of origin and other non -tariff bar riers, and "Liberian businesses 
have hardly been able to export under preferential trade agreements".  The authorities state that 
efforts have been made to improve quality standards.  
 
Question s: 
 
19. In terms of rules of origin and other non -tariff barriers, wh at are the main barriers to 
preferential trade agreements for Liberian enterprises?  
 
Response:  The main barriers to Liberian enterprises in utilizing preferential trade agreements 
include the lack of implementation of standards on quality and food safety to production processes 
and products; improper labelling and limited understanding of market re quirements of standards.  
 
20. In response to the above barriers, what countermeasures has the Liberian government 
adopted or formulated? If so, please provide information about the content and the schedule of 
the plan.  
 
Response:  The National Standards Laborat ory (NSL) has earmarked on the following  actions to 
address these challenges:  
1. Building a robust quality infrastructure services (certification, inspection and testing) to meet the 
needs of Liberian enterprises. Currently labs, certification and inspect ion units at the NSL are 
undergoing ISO accreditation and certification programs and is expected that by June 2023 ISO 
accreditation would have been acheived ;  
2. Conducting awareness and trainings amongst Liberian enterprises on market requirements, 
application of quality, food safety and environmental standards to infrastructure, processes and 
products including labelling. These series of training are expected to be luanched by July 2023;  
3. Established a national verification of conformity program that w ill address issues of import, export 
and local markets. This is already in progress.  
 
Page 28 Para 2.43 -2.44 
The following activities are reserved for Liberians:  
• supply of sand;  
• block making;  
• peddling...  
In addition to the reserved activities, Liberi a maintains FDI restrictions that are conditional on the 
investment amount. Foreign investors may invest in the following business activities if they meet 
certain minimum capital investment requirements. First, if an enterprise is owned exclusively by 
non-Liberians, its total capital investment must not be less than USD 500,000. Second, if an 
enterprise is owned by non -Liberians in partnership with Liberians and the aggregate shareholding 
of the Liberian is at least 25%, the total capital invested must not be less than USD 300,000.  
 
Question:  
 
21. In view of the above -mentioned materials, it can be seen that the degree of openness of the 
Liberia market is limited, with access restrictions in many areas. What plans and arrangements 
does the Liberia side have for relaxing the access restrictions in the future?  
 
Response:  
a. The Liberian Investment Law of 2010 provides a framework to reserve some business activities 
for Liberians -domestic firms. However, the law also provides minimum capital investment 
requirements  if foreign -domestic firms invest in these activities. Nevertheless, due to Liberia's 
accession to the WTO, the Investment Law would require modification to remove this provision 
to foster the principle of non -discrimination.  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  b. Liberia does not maintain any FDI restrictions that are conditional on minimum capital 
requirements. The Revenue Law of 2000 as amended provides sectoral and minimum capital 
requirement for firms applying for Special Investment Incentives. The minimum capi tal 
requirement is set at US $500,000 (Five -Hundred Thousand United States Dollars), irrespective 
of being a foreign -domestic or Liberian -domestic enterprise. For firms investing in health and 
agriculture, the minimum capital requirement is US $50,000 (Fif ty Thousand United States 
Dollars).  
 
c. The 2010 Investment Law needs to be amended to remove Schedule 1, which has the provisions 
relating to business activities reserved for Liberians, and setting a minimum capital requirement 
for FDI.  
 
Page 29, Para 2.46  
The Liberian Constitution restricts land ownership to citizens, but non -Liberians may hold long -term 
leases, which run for 25 to 50 years. The Liberian Land Authority (LLA) estimates that less than 20% 
of the country's total land is formally registered, and  conflicting land ownership records are common. 
For this reason, investors sometimes experience costly and complex land dispute issues even after 
they conclude land -lease agreements with the Government. The Land Rights Act, enacted in 2018, 
is intended to help resolve historical land disputes that have caused conflict and communal strife in 
the past. Article 48(3) of the Land Rights Act requires that communities where concessions are 
located maintain a 5% undiluted free carried interest in the rights of the  concession.  
 
Question:  
 
22. Dose Liberia have any specific plans to address the negative impacts on foreign investment 
arising from lacking of formal registration of land?  
 
Response:  Liberia has successfully established a land registry with the support and assistance of 
its partners. In order to enhance efficiency and accessibility, the land registry has transitioned to a 
digital platform. Additionally, significant efforts have been made to train numerous surveyors, 
strengthening their skills and  capacities in land -related matters. Furthermore, GIS technicians have 
been deployed in all counties, ensuring widespread geographical information system (GIS) coverage 
across the country. These initiatives collectively contribute to improving land managem ent and 
administration in Liberia.  
 
Page 31, 50, 51,  Para 3.4, 3.83, 3.96  
3.4. Currently, four Category C commitments remain to be implemented, with definitive date for 
implementation being 22 February 2025. They are test procedures, trade facilitation mea sures for 
authorized operators, single window, and customs cooperation. According to Liberia's notification to 
the WTO, the World Bank provides funds for the operation of a national single window system for 
domestic and international trade, by connecting a ll government ministries, agencies, and 
commissions involved with trade facilitation. The authorities indicate that a work plan to set up this 
national single window was drafted.  
3.83. The procedure for clearing of high -risk goods at the ports of entry inv olves the following: High -
risk goods are registered with the LRA.  
3.96. Import permit applications should normally be processed within 24 hours. Liberia does not yet 
have an electronic, web -based system for import permit procedures.  
 
Question s: 
 
23. How can enterprises obtain information on high -risk goods that need to be registered with the 
LRA before the clearing at the ports of entry, or on goods that need licenses and certificates from 
the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture?  
 
Response:  The exact num ber of enterprises cannot be determined due to the varying permit 
requirements imposed by different agencies for different goods.  
 
24. In the absence of an electronic, web -based system for import permit procedures, how does 
PAQS of the Department of Technical Services of the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture achieve 
processing of import permit applications within 24 hours?  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Response:  
 
25. In its effort to build a "single window" system, will the Government of Liberia consider to 
include accessing requirements like  LRA registration for high -risk goods and PAQS import permits 
in the single window system to achieve one -stop customs clearance?  
 
Response:  The concept of Single Window is a single entry of required documents for all relevant 
stakeholders for a one stop shop . Where IPD is required, it will be one of the considerations for the 
Single Window. Where there are high -risk goods and required permission or license, \it will also be 
one of the considerations for the Single implementation in Liberia . 
 
Page 32, Para 3.8 
Regarding the selection of lanes (Box 3.1, step 5), Liberia's risk assessment criteria are based on ... 
 
Question:  
 
26. Please provide the specific risk assessment criteria on which the system will transfer files to 
each of the four lanes.  
 
Response:  There are four lanes with different perimeters including historical import data, product 
type, country of origin, etc.  
 
Page 43, 65, Para 3.44, 4.19  
3.44. The following products require permits from relevant ministries or agencies before the MoCI 
issues an Import Notification Form:  Soil from foreign land – banned from entering except for 
scientific reasons . 
4.19. Imports of all agricultural products require an SPS import permit from the MOA and an Import 
Notification Form (INF) from the MoCI (Sections 3.1.5.2 and 3.3.3).  
 
Question:  
 
27. The list of import restrictions and permits that require permits from relevan t ministries or 
agencies includes all plants and plant products (including processed products), all living animals 
and animal products (including processed products), all human consumables, etc. The list 
includes an overly broad range of products. Is there  any plan to further classify the related 
products, excluding the licensing requirements for lower -risk products in the above list?  
 
Response:  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is developing along with it partner HS Codes for 
products. Which will categ orize these lower risk product in lieu of licensing requirements.  
 
Page 48, Para 3.70 
Liberia has made some progress in reforming its TBT regime. The Liberia National Standards Act to 
establish the Liberia Standards Authority entered into force in July 202 2. Liberia is, however, facing 
challenges in developing and implementing TBT (and SPS) measures. A national TBT/SPS 
Committee, established in 2017, has not been able to meet since 2018 due to lack of funding. 
Guidelines for implementing good regulatory pra ctices were drafted and efforts have been made to 
improve regulatory cooperation and coordination among agencies, but progress has been slow due 
to overlapping responsibilities.  
 
Question:  
 
28. What plans does Liberia have in adopting the standards and TBT/SPS  measures?  
 
Response:  Liberia is developing work items on standards adoption by the National Standards 
Harmonization Committees under the Liberia Standards Harmonization Model (LiSHAM) to conduct 
standard adoption programs for Liberia. This cycle of standard adoption process f or 2023 will be 
completed by July 2024.  
 
Page 48, 49, Para 3.71, 3.78  
Liberia has provided five TBT notifications (see below) ... WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  According to the authorities, the standard timeline for the submission of comments on draft technical 
regulations, standards, a nd conformity assessment procedures is 60 days (Administrative Regulation 
MCI/No. 001/09/2015).  
 
Question:  
 
29. After checking the WTO eping -alert system, Liberia has not issued any TBT notification after 
2018. Please explain any actions are going to take to b etter implement the WTO transparency 
obligations.  
 
Response:  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is scheduling Technical Assistance for 2024 and 
facilitate trainings for other Ministries and Agencies of Governmnt to deepen their understanding of 
the eping alert system.  
 
Page 50, Para 3.82 
Since 2010, the NSL has also been responsible for the testing of imported high -risk goods, which 
are goods that are deemed to have serious health, safety, and environmental effects and include 
pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical services, alcohol and alcoholic products, chemical and 
petroleum products, electrical cables, electronic products, building materials, African textile prints, 
used goods, pyrotechnic products, motor vehicle batteries, arms and ammunition, and LPG cylinders. 
According to the authorities, technical regulatio ns do not exist for these products, except LPG.  
 
Question:  
 
30. In the absence of appropriate relevant technical regulations, what is the basis for the 
conformity assessment of the National Standards Laboratory of Liberia (NSL) when conducting 
tests on high -risk goods other than LPG?  
 
Response:  The conformity assessment services of the National Standards Laboratory are offered to 
support the implementation of technical regulations and standards, e.g. National Food Fortification 
regulation for wheat flour, packaged drinking water etc. NSL also su pports the development of some 
agriculture and food value chain which includes cassava, vegetables, fish and cocoa. The conformity 
assessment of the NSL has three components: certification, inspection and testing. Liberia is 
implementing plans to roll out the verification of conformity (VoC), which will require the conformity 
assessment by NSL.  
 
Page 51, Para 3.93  
The Plant and Animal Quarantine Services (PAQS), Department of Technical Services of the MOA, is 
responsible for phytosanitary and veterinary mea sures.55 The PAQS operates under the authority 
of Title 3, Chapter 1 (Plant and Animal Quarantine) of the Liberian Codes of Laws Revised (Agriculture 
Law of 1950, as revised in 1972). The legal framework for phytosanitary and veterinary measures 
is obsolet e. A new Draft Veterinary Law and a Draft SPS Law are pending.  
 
Question s: 
 
31. Is there a specific schedule for the new Draft Veterinary Law and Draft SPS Law? What will be 
the major changes after the implementation?  
 
Response:  The draft Veterinary Law and th e draft SPS Law are still pending; implementation will 
only commence upon ratification . 
 
Page 54 -56, Para 3.112, 3.115, 3.117  
The authorities indicate that government procurement accounted for 8.6% of GDP in 2021, up from 
4% of GDP in 2019. The value of go vernment procurement in 2021 more than doubled that in 2019 
(Table 3.9). According to the authorities, this is due to increased investment in infrastructure 
(building of roads, bridges, and energy plants). The participation of foreign suppliers varies 
significantly, from 66% in 2018 to 0.3% in 2021. The authorities indicate that possible reasons for 
this fluctuation include the influence of the COVID -19 pandemic and the restrictions affecting global 
trade.  
The public procurement procedure in Liberia is dec entralized. Any entities to which this Act applies 
is a procuring entity, and each procuring entity establishes its own procurement unit. Procuring 
entities must report quarterly to the PPCC.  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 15 - 
 
  National open competitive bidding is the most frequently used me thod, accounting for 41% of total 
procurement in FY2021 (Table 3.10).  
 
Question s: 
 
32. Data show that the proportion of Liberia's public procurement in GDP has increased 
significantly in recent years, but the percentage of foreign supplier participation has declined 
significantly since 2019, before the epidemic. Please specify the reasons.  
 
Response:  One significant factor contributing to this variation primarily stems from the classification 
of supplier ownership. A considerable proportion of the suppliers operating in Liberia are engaged in 
the construction sector. These suppliers, predominantly foreign -owned, have successfully secured 
contracts in previous years. Upon establishing their presence in the country, they undergo a process 
of registering themselves as domestic businesses, adhering to the requirements of Liberian law. 
Consequently, during subsequent bidding processes, these suppliers, despite their foreign 
ownership, are considered and treated as registered Liberian businesses in accordance with the 
Liberian procurement law. This classification holds true even when they win contracts through 
mechanisms such as the National Competitive or Restricted bidding processes, which are typically 
designed to promote fair competition.  
Present ly, the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) is undertaking a 
comprehensive review of the Public Procurement Act of 2010. This review process aims to redefine 
the term "Domestic Business" within the Act, which currently encompasses foreign b usinesses 
registered in Liberia. The anticipated outcome of this redefinition is the facilitation of increased 
foreign participation in procurement processes, particularly with the implementation of the 
eProcurement migration scheduled to commence in 2024.  
The redefinition of "Domestic Business" is expected to broaden its scope to explicitly include foreign 
businesses operating within Liberia. This revision will effectively recognize and acknowledge the 
involvement of foreign enterprises in the country's pr ocurement landscape. Additionally, the 
upcoming rollout of the eProcurement system will further enhance the framework for procurement 
activities. The introduction of this digital platform is anticipated to streamline processes, improve 
transparency, and cr eate a more conducive environment for increased foreign participation in 
procurement endeavours.  
By aligning the legal definitions with the practical realities of foreign businesses operating in Liberia, 
the PPCC's review of the Public Procurement Act and the subsequent implementation of the 
eProcurement system will likely foster a more inclusive and competitive procurement environment, 
paving the way for heightened foreign involvement from 2024 onwards.  
 
33. Data show that the proportion of Liberia's public procurement in the form of international open 
tendering has decreased significantly, while the proportion of domestic open tendering and 
single -source procurement has increased significantly. Please explain whether this aligns with 
the criteria set by the Public Procurement and Concessions Act.  
 
Response:  This does not align with the PPCA 2010; the Act is intended to promote value for money 
in all public expenditure and competition internationally is highly intended based on established 
thresholds as  stipulated in regulations 003 promulgated by the Commission (PPCC).  
 
34.  Please indicate whether the preference of the Government of Liberia, as the main 
procurement body, for non -international tendering models is the main reason for the decrease in 
the prop ortion of participation by foreign enterprises.  
 
Response:  This trend is not the preference of the Liberian Government or the Public Procurement 
& Concessions Commission; all is being done to ensure such trend does not continue at such rate; 
however, many foreign firms now registering under Liberian laws still compete and win contracts.  
 
35. Please indicate whether there are plans to improve the policy framework for foreign 
participation in local public procurement, including, but not limited to, amending the 2 010 Public 
Procurement and Concessions Act to reduce the explicit and hidden barriers to enhance foreign 
participation.  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Response: Currently, the Commission (PPCC) is reviewing the Public Procurement Act of 2010; we 
are certain that the redefinition of “Dom estic Business” in the Act generally defined as a foreign 
business registered in Liberia as well as the involvement of foreign businesses to be enabled by the 
rollout of the eProcurement migration will enable the involvement of more foreign participation 
beginning 2024 and beyond.  
 
Page 60, Para 3.145  
In 2017, the Government, together with WIPO, issued an Intellectual Property Development Plan 
(IPDP). It identified the following constraints in the IP system: weak IP legal and administrative 
framework; low level of IP awareness among citizens; inadequate human resource capacity on IP; 
low level of generation and protection of IP by locals; inadequate utilization of IP for economic 
growth; weak IP enforcement mechanisms; underdevelopment of cre ative industry; low level of 
commercialization/ technology transfer of research findings; and inadequate infrastructure to 
support the use of IP for economic development.  
 
Question:  
 
36. What steps has the government taken to improve IP enforcement mechanisms in Liberia?  
 
Response:  Liberia has made progress since the inception of the IPDP in 2017. Liberia has continued 
its IP awareness strategy not only in Monrovia, the Capital but also in additional two counties. The 
IP office has one of Liberia’s c oming up Artist, T Crack (author of “Let’s go Buchanan” song) as one 
of its ambassadors, it has a copyright hour on one of the local radio stations every Saturday. We 
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with six (6) Universities and Research 
Institutions as Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) host institutions. There has been 
more awareness created in primary and secondary schools through the establishment of IP clubs.  
 
An integrated Intellectual Property Automated System is in its con cluding stage for the use of the IP 
office and its client based. There is an established MOU between the IP office and the Ministry of 
Health through the Complimentary/Alternative Medicine Unit for the creation of IP awareness 
amongst traditional medicine practitioners.  The IP office with aid from the WIPO Covid19 package, 
has established IP Management Clinics for SMEs. The IP office is a member of the ad -hoc committee 
on the development of a roadmap for geographical indication amongst ARIPO member states.  The 
IP office has established a CMO Secretariat as well as engaged in an ongoing Accessible Book 
Consortium (ABC) Project financed by WIPO for visually impaired and print -disabled community. The 
enforcement and compliance of Intellectual Property Rights h as remained a challenge.  
 
Page 70, Para 4.47 
EU-Liberia Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA), 201556 - The agreement and its 
five-year protocol, which expired on 8 December 2020, provided the European Union with fishing 
opportunities of 6,500  metric tonnes of tuna and other highly migratory species for 28 tuna purse 
seiners and 6 longline vessels, to be monitored with VMS. The European Union's financial 
compensation was EUR 3.25 million over five years, of which 50% was allocated for the acces s to 
the Liberian fisheries and 50% for the implementation of Liberia's fisheries policy. There has been 
no new protocol since the last one expired in 2020.  
 
Question:  
 
37. Does Liberia plan to continue negotiating fisheries agreements with the EU or other members? 
What are the main elements of fisheries agreements?  
 
Response:  the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority intends to continue negotiations of the 
SFPA with the EU and improve some of the technical provisions of the appending Protocol t o the 
Agreement. However, the Protocol was not renegotiated due to the non -resolution of the pre -
identification of Liberia as a non -cooperating third country under the EU’s Regulation to fight and 
deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. N evertheless, the Agreement was tacitly 
renewed based on Article 12 which states that ‘this Agreement shall apply for five years from the 
date of the start of its provisional application. It shall be tacitly renewed, unless notice of termination 
is given in  accordance with Article 14’.  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 17 - 
 
  The Agreement establishes the guiding principles, rules and procedures governing the access of EU 
vessels to Liberia’s EEZ, financial contributions from the vessel’s owners and the EU, technical and 
scientific cooperation in the sustainable management of the fisheries resources . 
 
Page 7 1, Para 4. 50 
Exports of iron ore, mainly destined for China, accounted for almost 40% of total exports in 2021.  
 
Question:  
 
38. What is the source of this data? There is no such data in footnote 62 of the Secretariat's 
report. According to us, the data is inconsistent with the facts, because from 2019 to 2022, the 
only iron ore enterprise in Liberia, "ArcelorMittal", does not export iron ore to China.  
 
Response:  The information contained in the Secretariat report on Liberia regarding the export of 
iron ore is inconsistent with our export data for the aforementionned period. This error may have 
occured due to the misinterpretation of the raw data recieved.  
 
Page 74, Para 4.69, 4.71, 4.72  
Liberia's electricity generation is based almost entirely on hydropower and fuel.  
The Liberia Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (established under EO No. 38 of 6 January 2012) 
has the mandate to facilitate renewable energy projects in rural areas.  
EO No. 107  of May 2022 suspended import tariffs on off -grid solar lighting appliances, equipment 
and components, and other systems related to renewable energy.  
 
Question:  
 
39. Please indicate whether there are any tax incentives or other policy support for renewable 
power generation projects other than solar power, such as wind power projects.  
 
Reponse:  Liberia does not have any other tax incentives for other renewable power generation 
projects other than those expressed in the Executive order about solar po wer. 
 
Page 76, Para 4.89 
The Liberian manufacturing sector contributed about 6% to GDP in 2021 (Table 1.1). Liberia's 
manufacturing companies produce mainly for the domestic market. While there are a few large 
cement and beverage producers . 
 
Question:  
 
40. Please indicate whether there are any special restrictions or preferential measures for foreign 
investment in cement plants in Liberia. If so, please specify.  
 
Reponse:  Liberia does not have any restrictions or preferential measures for foreign investment in 
cement plants in the country.  
 
PART II: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT  REPORT  
 
Page 6, Para 2.9 
The average inflation for 2021 moderated to 7.9%, from 17.4% in 2020, while the end of year 
inflation in 2021 was at 5.5% from 13.1% in December 2020.  
 
Question:  
 
41. Please indicate whether there are any further measures to reduce the inflation rate.  
 
Response:  The Government through the CBL has been and continue to put i n place policies aimed 
at ensuring that inflation is contain in single digit with a medium to long term goal of achieving less 
than or equal to 5 percent inflation consistent with the ECOWAS macroeconomic convergence 
criterion threshold. To this end, the m onetary authority strives to ensure prudent liquidity 
management, while the fiscal authority continues to exercise sound fiscal policies.  
However, there are key risks to the attainment of this threshold which includes the behavior of the  
international food and fuel prices as well as the exchange rate.  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Page 8, Para 3.15  
In 2014, Liberia signed the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) inclusively as it 
was initialled with the 15 ECOWAS member states plus Mauritania.  
 
Question:  
 
42. The statement "In 2014, Liberia signed the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement 
(EPA)" contradicts the Para. 6 in the SUMMARY of the Secretariat Report ".....the EPA with the 
European Union has not been signed". Please confirm.  
 
Reponse:  Liberia  has signed the EU EPA but is yet to be ratified by the Legislature.  
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 19 - 
 
  DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC  
PÁGINA  11 
 
3.16. .No obstante, Liberia está desarrollando mecanismos pertinentes para controlar y verificar cada 
política que permitirá aplicar plenamente el AAE. A este respecto, Liberia ha promulgado la Ley por 
la que se establece la Autoridad de Normas de Liberia. Además , ha establecido un laboratorio para 
el análisis microbiológico de alimentos, un laboratorio para el análisis químico de alimentos y un 
laboratorio de metrología.  
 
Pregunta: ¿A través de cu ál fuente pueden los Miembros tener acceso a la Ley por la que 
se establece la Autoridad de Normas de Liberia?  
 
PAGE  11 
 
3.16 Notwithstanding, Liberia is developing the relevant mechanisms to control and verify every 
policy leading to the full implementation of the EPA. In this regard, Liberia has enacted a Law 
establish ing the Liberia Standard Authority. Furthermore, Liberia has also set up a food microbiology 
lab, food chemistry lab, and metrology lab.  
 
Question: Through what source can Members access the Law establishing the Liberia 
Standard Authority?  
 
Response:  The S tandard Authority Law will be published on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 
website for the public to access soon.  
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 20 - 
 
  EUROPEAN  UNION  
WT/TPR/G/441 – Government report  
No questions  
 
WT/TPR/S/441 – WTO Secretariat report  
 
SUMMARY  
 
General EU question nr. 1 : To what extent is the government of Liberia improving its institutional 
setting and enacting policies to certify products originating from Liberia?  
 
Response:  Liberia has taken a major step through the passage of a law; the Liberia Standards 
Authority. This new law among other responsibilities, requires the Liberia Standards Authority to 
provide certification of products and services to the public.  
 
1. ECONOMIC EN VIRONMENT  
 
No questions  
 
2. TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
 
2.3 TRADE AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS  
 
Paragraph 2.36, page 27  
 
EU question nr. 2 : To what extent is the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European 
Union is enabling Liberia to meet EU requirements for control, verification, and licensing of timber 
products, despite the agreement still not being operational?  
 
Response:  
 
A) Liberia has created a Legality Matrix under the VPA that currently serves as a basis for 
controlling, verifying, and li censing timber products.  
B) Under the VPA, Liberia has created a specialized Department within the Liberia Forestry 
Development Authority tasked with managing its timber chain of custody system, including 
but not limited to the traceability, legality, and fis cality requirements of timber products 
consistent with Liberian law.  
 
EU question nr. 3 : To what extent is the government of Liberia doing its best to develop a system 
of control, verification and licencing trade in timber and timber products?  
 
Response:  Liberia has developed a system for timber verification called LiberTrace, which tracks 
Liberia’s timber legality.  
 
3. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
 
3.3 MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  
 
Paragraphs 3.10 to 3.12, page 33  
 
EU question nr. 4 : To what extent is Liberia making efforts to harmonize rules of origin and other 
non-tariff barriers to facilitate that Liberian businesses can export under preferential trade 
agreements?  
 
Response:  Liberia is a member of ECOWAS and a part of the ECOWAS Cu stoms Union and the 
ECOWAS Free Trade Agreement (ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme). We are currently 
implementing the ETLS effectively. As a member of ECOWAS, the Rules of origin that Liberia is 
implementing is the same as the ECOWAS Rules of Origin. We are creating more awareness to the 
local manufacturers as we prepare for the implementation of the AfCFTA.  
 
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Paragraph 3.32, page 40  
 
EU question nr. 5 : the sentence “ Customs collects customs service fees for destination inspection 
services it provides at all other border entry points in Liberia. They are ad valorem: 1.2% of the 
c.i.f. value of imports. ” does not seem compliant with Article VIII of GATT and Article 6(2)(i) of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
 
Response:  It was brought to our attention that the amendment of the law to have the fee compliant 
with GATT was inadvertently overlooked. We have begun another round of review of the Liberia 
Revenue Code to ensure compliance of all outstanding provisions that are not in alignment with the 
WTO instrumen ts. 
 
Paragraphs 3.46 to 3.48, page 44  
 
EU question nr. 6 : In view of the ECOWAS trade remedy legislation, has there been an initiative to 
adopt trade remedy legislation on the national level?  
 
Response:  There is currently no initiative for the adoption of any trade remedy in our national law. 
However, having domesticated the ECOWAS Customs Code and other regional instruments through 
ratification, Liberia is currently implementing the ECOWAS trade remedy legislation because 
legislating another trade remedy w ill have to be consistent with that of the ECOWAS.  
 
3.4 MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING EXPORTS  
 
Paragraphs 3.49 to 3.51, page 44  
 
EU question nr. 7: Does the exporter in an export declaration have to be established in the customs 
territory of Liberia, or not? If not, then how can the public interest be ensured in case of a non -
compliance at export, if the exporter is not established in Liberia? Who would be responsible in front 
of Customs and other authorities, where applicable?  
 
Response: The exporter may  not necessarily have to be established in Liberia. Such exporter is 
consider high risk, thus, resulting to some level of control including the provision of security.  
 
4. TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
 
4.1 AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND FISHERIES  
 
Section 4.1.3, pages 68 to 71  
 
EU question nr. 8 : To what extent is the government of Liberia promoting the sustainability of the 
fishery sector and to what extent is the implementation of the National Plan of Action to combat IUU 
(illegal, unreported and unregulated) fi shing giving positive results?  
 
Response:  Liberia is promoting the sustainable management of the fisheries sector through the 
impartial implementation of its legal framework. The effective implementation of the NPOA -IUU by 
Liberia has deter would violators  and enhanced voluntary compliance of the Fisheries Laws and 
Regulations of Liberia. Most of the minor infractions now are from the small -scale fisheries which is 
an opened access fishery. Moreover, the activities catalogue within the timeframe for 
impleme ntation of actions some have been implemented and some are currently being implemented.  
 
EU question nr. 9 : To what extent is the government of Liberia committed to implement the FAO 
Port State Measures Agreement?  
 
Response:  To what extent is the governmen t of Liberia committed to implement the FAO Port State 
Measures Agreement?  
 
Response:  Liberia has taken the bold steps to ratify the PSMA  and some of the Provisions therein 
have already been in cooperated in the 2019 Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and 
Development Law. The implementation strategy has been developed, adopted and is now being 
implemented.  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 22 - 
 
  4.2 MINING  
 
Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2, pages 71 to 73  
 
EU question nr. 10 : To what extent is the government of Liberia taking continuous steps and 
measures to address unlicensed and illegal mining in the artisanal mining sector?  
 
Response:  The government has begun the process of formaliz ing the artisanal mining sector 
through the process of decentralizing the administration of the sector, strengthening the mining 
inspectorate, improving the license system, and the carving and promulgation of sets of mining 
regulations.  
 
4.5 SERVICES  
 
Paragraph 4.121, pages 81 -82 
 
EU question nr. 11 : Can the Liberian authorities clarify whether the tonnage dues collected for 
Liberian -flagged vessels and PRC -flagged vessels in Liberian ports are the same as those collected 
for vessels flagged to other WTO Members? Are these tonnage dues collected in exchange for the 
supply of services at the port? If , which ones? Does the Liberia -China Agreement on Maritime 
Transport provide for other measures granting favourable treatment to Chinese -flag vessels? If , 
which ones?  
 
Response:  Liberia does not collect any tonnage levies for access and/or use of Liberian ports, 
however Liberia does impose and collect fees for maritime safety. The maritime safety charges, 
which are levied on vessels calling to Liberian ports ar e the same for all foreign flagged vessels, 
including PRC - flagged vessels.  
 
Are these tonnage dues collected in exchange for the supply of services at the port?  
 
No, the maritime safety charges which are collected at Liberian ports, pursuant to the Liberi a 
Maritime Authority’s Regulations, are not made in exchange for a direct supply of services to 
individual vessels but are rather collected for the support of Maritime’ s regulatory activities, 
including but not limited to maritime safety and security, and  marine pollution prevention.  
 
Similar to the EU – Chinese Agreement on Maritime Transport, the Liberia -China Agreement on 
Maritime Transport, provides, inter alia, that  Chinese -flag vessels received reciprocal treatment as 
Liberian flag vessels would re ceive in Chinese waters.  
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 23 - 
 
  SINGAPORE  
PART I: QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
 
QUESTION:  
 
2.4. Investment regime  
 
Page 26 (Para 2.30)  
 
The WTO Secretariat Report notes that Liberia, with support from the UN Economic Commission for 
Africa, is " developing a National AfCFTA Strategy ". What are some key areas or sectors of focus for 
Liberia's National AfCFTA Strategy? How will the AfCFTA Strategy facilitate Liberia's implementation 
of the AfCFTA?  
 
Response:  The AfCFTA National Strategy when complet ed will focus on agriculture, fisheries, 
manufacturing, and services, as well as MSMEs (as the economy is predominantly MSMEs). The 
AfCFTA Strategy will facilitate Liberia’s implementation of the AfCFTA through the strengthening of 
public institutions invo lved with trade and the coordination mechanisms between the public and 
private sectors on trade facilitation. The Strategy will also emphasize the need for policies reforms 
and help build Liberia trade infrastructure, thereby addressing supply side constra ints. 
 
3.3 Measures affecting production and trade  
 
Page 47 (Para 3.65)  
 
The WTO Secretariat Report notes that the Government of Liberia established a Special Economic 
Zone (SEZ) Steering Committee in 2019 "to create, drive, guide, enhance, coordinate, and manage 
single, multiple and mixed -use SEZs in Liberia." What are some me asures considered and 
implemented to attract foreign investments into the Liberia's SEZs?  
 
Response:  Currently, the Government is preparing to implement some infrastructure work to 
include:  
 
a) Detailed Engineering Design for a 5  km asphalt approach road, 6.5  km, 33  kv Transmission 
line and the perimeter fencing, signature gate and site grading of the 200  ha). To date, a 
tender process is on -going for the recruitment of a consulting firm to carry out this task. It 
is anticipated that actual works will commence  in November of this year and completion date 
is targeted for November of 2024.  
b) Following the completion of the Detailed Engineering and design, the Government will 
construct a 5  Km asphalt approach road, construct a 6.5  Km transmission line to the site 
and construct a perimeter fence around the 200 acres of land earmarked for the project. 
Project.  
c) Thereafter, the plan is to attract a developer, who will complete construction of infrastructure 
needs of the park and attract operators and users to the park.  
d) The project also seeks to build the capacity of farming groups and MSMEs across the country 
and as such, the recruitment of a consulting firm is on -going to conduct value chain trainings 
and mapping of farming communities, cooperatives in an effort to ident ify suitable 
aggregators and farmers’ group/ cooperatives to support the agri -hub with produces for 
processing and export. The SAPZ park key commodities of focus include, (cassava, rice, 
horticulture, (fruits & vegetables), oil palm, cocoa, coffee, rubber,  and aquaculture).  
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  UNITED  KINGDOM  
SECRETARIAT REPORT (S441)  
Secretariat Report (S441)  
1 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.3 Developments in trade in foreign direct investment  
Paragraph  1.20 
UK Question 1:  The Secretariat Report notes that structural bottlenecks continue to hold back the 
Liberian economy 's competitiveness in engaging with international trade, including the high cost of 
doing business. Could Liberia please confirm what they are doing to addr ess the high cost of doing 
business?  
 
Response:  Liberia is taking major steps in addressing the business environment in the country. 
There is an expansion in road network, expansion of electricity (reducing overhead cost on the use 
private generators), the  reduction in the timeline for processing import notification form from 5 days 
to 24 hours. Liberia is also expanding financial services throughout the country.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
1 ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT  
1.3 Developments in trade in foreign direct i nvestment  
1.3.2  Trade in services  
UK Question 2:  Could Liberia please explain what has driven the significant contraction in services 
trade, which shrank from USD  93 million to USD  4.4 million?  
 
Response:  The decline in trade services export from US D 93 million in 2016 to US D 4.4 million in 
2021 was due mainly to the following factors:  
• Government goods and services decreased from US D 63.22  million in 2016, to 
USD 0.36 million in 2020, and US D 0.52 million in 2021.  
• Insurance and pension services declined from US D 23.91  million in 2016, and to 
USD 6.41 million in 2020.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.2 Trade policy formulation and objectives  
Paragraph  2.16 
UK Question 3 : Could Liberia please outline all the Intellectual Property Rights Areas that the Liberian 
Intellectual Property Office (LIPO) will be responsible for?  
 
Response:  The Liberia Intellectual Property Act of 2016, Section  9 through Section  16 outlines 
intellectual property right areas which the IP office is responsible for.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441 ) 
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.3 Trade agreements and arrangements and arrangements  
2.3.3  Regional and preferential trade agreements  
2.3.2.2 African Union  
Paragraph  2.30 
UK Question 4:  The Secretariat Report notes Liberia has signed the AfCFTA  Agreement in March 
2018. Could Liberia please indicate when it plans to ratify the AfCFTA?  
 
Response:  The AfCFTA Agreement is currently before the Legislature for ratification.  
 
UK Question 5:  Could Liberia please explain whether it has to create/amend ex isting domestic 
legislation before it ratifies the AfCFTA?  
 
Response:  According to the hierarchy of laws in Liberia, international agreements ratified by the 
Legislature rank only next to the Constitution which is the supreme law of the country. The 
ratification of International agreements is not predicated on the amendment of national laws.  
Therefore Liberia does not have to amend national statutes before the ratification of the AfCFTA as 
its ratification will automatically rank it higher than any national  statute that may come into conflict 
with it (except the Constitution).  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Secretariat Report (S441)  
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2 Trade and Investment Regimes  
2.4 Investment Regime  
Paragraph 2.38  
UK Question 6:  Could Liberia please explain how it plans to address the infrastructure bottlenecks 
that international investors face?  
 
Response:  Liberia is addressing infrastructural bottlenecks through the expansion of roads networks 
throughout the country. We are work ing with regional and development partners to ease 
infrastructural bottlenecks mainly related to roads and energy.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.4 Investment Regime  
Paragraphs  2.43 and 2.44  
UK Question 7 : Could Liberia pleas e explain whether it intends to liberalise the reserved and 
restricted sectors to international investment further in the future? And if not – why? 
 
Response:  Liberia has not made any determination in this regard. These sectors are dominated by 
MSMEs who d o not have the means to compete in other business activities in the economy.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.4 Investment Regime  
Paragraph  2.45 
UK Question 8:  Could Liberia please provide further clarification as to how it defi nes "qualified" for 
the purposes of this provision?  
 
Response:  Qualification is defined by the employer in relation to the particular position. The law 
only requires that having so established the qualification, the employer is required to proof that 
there is no Liberian that meets the qualification as a justificatio n for hiring a foreign national.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.4 Investment Regime  
Paragraphs  2.46 
UK Question 9 : Could Liberia please explain what measures it is taking to improve levels of formal 
land registration?  
 
Response:  We are currently building the Land Cadastre to geo reference all land and put on google 
map. Currently, we are in the process of developing a Land Cadastre system that aims to 
georeference and map all land parcels, making them acce ssible on platforms such as Google Maps.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
3     TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1    Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
Paragraph 3.1.5.1    
UK Question 10:  The UK notes Liberia's prohibition on the import and export of shark fins and the 
underpinning ban on shark finning under the Act to Amend the National Fisheries and Aquaculture 
Authority Law by Adding Thereto the Fisheries and Aquaculture Management and Development. 
Could Liberia please explain whether, in addition to the objectives highlighted in the preamble to the 
Act, this measure was introduced for animal welfare reasons and if so, what were these animal 
welfare objectives?  
 
Response:  The main intent  of the prohibition on the shark finning at sea is based on the facts that 
most of these species have been classified as endangered species and also based on their biology. 
Moreover, Liberia is a CPC to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered S pecies of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna 
(ICCAT) that’s prohibits the trade some shark’s species and encourages the live release of some WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 26 - 
 
  species. In so doing, Liberia had to domesticate a nd implement the provisions of these international 
banning agreements. Therefore, the prohibition was not due to animal welfare.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellec tual Property Rights  
3.3.7.1  Overview  
Paragraph  3.119  
UK Question 11 : Could Liberia please explain whether parallel importation of goods is explicitly 
prohibited by any legislation, or simply not enabled by the Industrial Property Act and/or 
Copyright  Act? 
 
Response: Parallel importation of goods is not explicitly provided for in the 2016 Intellectual 
Property Act but Sections 18.1, 18.7, 18.11, and 18.13 provides for border measures requirements 
for importation of goods.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellectual Property Rights  
3.3.7.1  Overview  
Paragraph  3.120  
UK Question 12 : Could Liberia please provide more information on how the Liberian Intellectual 
Property Office (LIPO) operates?  
 
Response: The Liberia IP office operates strictly in compliance with its 2016 Act on the protection, 
registration and enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights specifically to all protocols and treaties 
with which Liberia has acceded and ratified.  
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellectual Property Rights  
3.3.7.2  Copyright and related rights  
Paragraph  3.124  
UK Question 13 : Could Liberia please provide more information on the legal frameworks they have 
developed to guide the collection and distribution of copyright royalties?  
 
Response: COSOL specific objective is to function as a multi -purpose collective management 
organiz ation with responsibility to right -holders for both copyright and related rights over all genres 
of copyright. To collect and distribute Royalty for the unauthorized commercial use of creative 
contents. There are five policies and legal framework documents  to include Formulating Regulation, 
membership rules, distribution rules, copyright regulation on private copy, administrative regulation 
for copyright license tariff and copyright regulations over the use of creative contents in sound 
recording.  
 
Secretar iat Report (S441)  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellectual Property Rights  
3.3.7.8  Plant varieties  
Paragraph  3.141  
UK Question 14 : Could Liberia please explain whether it intends on signing up to the International 
Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) as an independent member?  
 
Response:  Liberia is in the final stages of preparing to submit the Arusha Protocol, along with 
several other Protocols and Treaties, to t he Legislature for the purpose of accession and ratification. 
This process will be facilitated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Secretariat Report (S441)  
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.7  Intellectual Property Rights  
3.3.7.9  Enforcement  
Paragraph  3.149  
UK Question 15 : Could Liberia please detail any financial or other types of support to be provided to 
LIPO to meet the goals laid out in the Liberia -WIPO Intellectual Property Developme nt Plan?  
 
Response: . LIPO is currently engaged with WIPO on the formulation of a new IPDP . 
 
Secretariat Report (S441)  
4    TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1 Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries  
4.1.1  Agriculture  
4.1.1.2 Agricultural policy  
Paragraph  4.14.  
UK Question 16:  The UK is pleased to note the establishment of the Liberian Seed Development and 
Certification Agency. Could Liberia please explain what the objectives and workplan of the agency 
will be, once it is operational?  
 
Response:   
• The National Seed A gency is comprised of several governmental entities including the MoA, 
CARI, the University of Liberia, The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the 
Ministry of Internal Affairs (which oversees communal farming in Liberia).  
• The NSA does not have a dedicated office but is run as a steering committee and has not 
yet begun to certify or market seeds in Liberia. In fiscal year 2024, there is a plan to 
operationalize the National Cocoa Seed Garden by certifying cocoa seed producers. A similar 
plan is u nder development for rice, oil palm and vegetable seed producers.  
• The purpose of this Regulation is to establish a legal framework that will guide and direct all 
seed related operations and activities both public and private in Liberia and to harmonize 
the rules governing certification and marketing of seeds and seedlings in Liberia with those 
in the other Member States of ECOWAS.  
• The harmonization is intended to ensure good quality seeds of plant species and varieties 
listed in the West African Catalogue o f Plant Species and Varieties in all ECOWAS Member 
States.  
• More specifically, the purpose of this harmonization is to:  
▪ facilitate local production of quality seeds amongst Member States, through application 
of regionally agreed principles and rules that mi nimize trade barriers;  
▪ facilitate convenient access by farmers to quality seeds;  
▪ create the appropriate climate for private investment in seeds and seed production;  
▪ help widen the choice of the seeds available to farmers; and , 
▪ Promote partnership between t he public and private sectors.  
 
GOVERNMENT REPORT (G441)  
 
Government Report (G441)  
3 LIBERIA 'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS  
3.2 Regional integration  
3.2.1  African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)  
Paragraph  3.9 
UK Question 17 : Could Liberia please explain when it expects the ongoing AfCFTA negotiations on 
intellectual property to be concluded?  
 
Response:  Liberia is currently engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding intellectual property 
rights (IPR), and as of now, there is no specific timeline or indication as to when these negotiations 
will be concluded. The negotiation process is still underway, and further updates will be provided as 
progress is made . 
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Government Report (G441)  
3 LIBERIA 'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE RELATIONS  
3.4 EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement  
Paragraph  3.18.  
UK Question 18:  Could Liberia please indicate what steps it is taking to implement Liberia 's 
commitments to strengthen forestry governance and control illegal logging?  
 
Response:  Several steps have been t aken, including :  
 
a. Increasing knowledge of the forestry legal framework  
b. Developed a forest compliance and enforcement handbook and the training of forest 
rangers and other law enforcement practitioners.  
c. Created a framework to formalize chainsaw milling thr ough the Chain Sawmilling 
Regulations  
d. Investigating reported illegalities and referring violators to Court for prosecution  
e. Strengthening Liberia’s Timber Chain of Custody System.  
 
Government Report (G441)  
6 MSME POLICY  
6.1. The Pro – Poor loan  
UK Question 19:  The Government Report states that Liberia is firmly committed to supporting the 
growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.  Could Liberia please explain what steps it is taking 
to support the growth of such enterprises, helping to create li velihoods and strengthen domestic 
revenue generation?  
 
Response:  The Government of Liberia,  has  embarked on a financing initiative s which are intended 
to provide financing opportunities to Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Micro Finance Institutions 
(MFIs)  and Village Savings & Loans Associations (VSLA) through fiscal stimulus for nationwide quick 
impact projects with the view of providing job opportunities, capital formation  wich will strengthen 
domestic revenue generation . The scheme is also designed to s upport the Government’s Pro -Poor 
Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) . The Government with the support of the World 
Bank has initiated technical assistance to MSMEs trough various initiatives including the Liberia 
Investment, Finance and Trade Proj ect (LIFT -P). 
  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 29 - 
 
  UNITED  STATES  
Part I. Questions based on the Secretariat Report (WT/TPR/S/441)  
 
Page 31, Paragraph 3.1: The report notes that Part V of the Liberia Revenue Code governs customs 
procedures and formalities, and that the 2019 amendment incorporated several provisions of the 
WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. Upon accession to the WTO in 2016 and under Article 22 of the 
Customs Valuation Agreement (CVA), Liberia was expected to incorporate provisions of the CVA into 
its national laws and to notify its legislation on customs valuation to the WTO.  
 
1. Could Liberia please provide a n update on the status of its notification of its national customs 
valuation legislation to the WTO?  
 
Response:  The CVA is fully incorporated in Part V of th e Liberia Code Act of 2000 as Amended 
(LRC). It may have been misunderstood that sharing the amended Customs Code which is Part V of 
the LRC, satisfies the notification requirement of the CVA. Liberia will notify the WTO in the shortest 
possible time.   
 
Page 31, Paragraph 3.1: In accordance with a May 1995 decision by the WTO Committee on 
Customs Valuation, Liberia is expected to respond in writing to a list of questions, known as the 
Checklist of Issues, that identify where provisions of the Customs Valua tion Agreement are 
implemented in Liberia's customs valuation legislation.  
 
2. Could Liberia please provide a n update on the status of its notification of its responses to 
the Checklist of Issues to the WTO?  
 
Response:  Liberia began the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation in 2019  
after the enactment of the Modernized Customs Code. The list of questions (checklist) referenced in  
the question has been brought to our attention. Now that it has been brought to our attention, we  
will access the  checklist, update it and notify the WTO in reasonable time.  
 
Page 31, Paragraph 3.3: The report notes Liberia's ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation 
Agreement and the current implementation rate for commitments. In March 2021, the WTO 
circulated Liberia's partial notification for TFA Article 1.4. Within the notification document, Lib eria 
stated that the enquiry point, as required by Article 1.4(c), would be designated by July 31, 2021.  
 
3. Could Liberia please provide an update on the status of the Article 1.4(c) notification to the 
WTO?  
 
Response:  There are enquiry points at various min istries and agencies. However, these enquiry 
points have not been centralized at national level due to various factors including the COVID, 
capacity building about the TFA provision. There are ongoing efforts to address the issue of a national 
enquiry poin t for TFA and  notify the WTO.  
 
Page 34, Paragraphs 3.20 and 3.21 : The Secretariat's Report explains that Liberia's migration to 
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) by 2028 
will lead to a significant increase in tariffs on most products, especially agricultural products where 
the average CET rates would increase to 15.6% (up from 11.2% in 2023). In addition, the tariffs on 
live animals and animal products would be most affected with an increase of 13.7 percenta ge points 
(Chart 3.2 and Table A3.1).  
Considering that increasing tariffs often leads to increased prices and reduced supplies of goods 
available domestically:  
 
4. Please explain how Liberia expects these tariff increases will affect imports from trading 
partners who are not ECOWAS members.  
 
Response:  While it is true that increase in tariff may lead to increase in prices, the Liberia’s scenario 
is not expected to be severe or proportionate to the increase in tariff. The implementation of the 
ECOWAS ETLS (free trade agreement) may offset the impact. Fo r instance, the import duty rate for 
life animal from a third country (outside of West Africa) may attract 35% but when imported from 
an ECOWAS country will attract 0%. We are cognisant of the possibility of shift consumer preference. 
The consumer preferen ce may determine the level of impact  WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  5. Has Liberia explored the effects these tariff increases might have on its domestic food 
security?  
 
Response:  There is no specific study for food security in the context of tariff increase.  
 
Page 42, Paragraph 3.39; Page  43, Paragraphs 3.44 and 3.45:  The report states that Liberia 
has not yet submitted any notifications to the WTO under the Import Licensing Agreement. The 
report also describes Liberia's "Import Notification Forms" requirements.  
 
6. What is the timeline for L iberia to submit its notifications to the Committee on Import 
Licensing?  
 
Response:  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry shall be submitting to the Committee on Import 
Licensing it Import notification by the end of the second quarter of this year.  
 
Page 5 0, Paragraphs 3.85:  The Secretariat report states that "a new regulation on "Labelling and 
Packaging of Pre -packaged Food and Non -food Products" is in the process of adoption." The 
United  States notes that Liberia has not notified this regulation to the WT O TBT Committee.  
 
7. What are Liberia's plans to notify this regulation to the WTO TBT Committee?  
 
Response:  The Labelling and Packaging of Pre -packaged Food and Non -Food Products Regulation 
has not been notified to the WTO TBT Committee because we are still gathering comments from 
Stakeholders, however, we hope to adopt the regulation and notify the TBT Committ ee by January 
2024.  
 
8. Could Liberia please explain its process for notification of technical regulations to the WTO?  
 
Response: The process of developing and notifying technical regulations to the WTO is as follows:  
The Ministry or agency prepares or propos es the measures . 
We make sure to publish a notice in a publication as soon as possible to enable stakeholders or 
interested parties to become acquainted with the proposed measure.  
a. The proposed measures upon request are shared with other members  
b. Stakeholde r meetings are held among interested parties on written comment  
c. Before the stakeholder discussion is proposed, sixty (60) days are given for public comment.  
d. Upon the completion of the sixty (60) days, the adoption of the measure will be followed by 
publication of the measures  
e. Before the regulation enters into force, a six month period is given before enforcement of 
the measures  
f. Now, the completed notification is submitted online through WTO/TBT notification system 
(eping) to WTO secretariat.  
 
Page 51, Pa ragraphs 3.96:  According to the Secretariat Report, "Import permit applications 
should normally be processed within 24 hours. Liberia does not yet have an electronic, web -based 
system for import permit procedures."  
 
9. Please provide information on how a trad er may contact Liberian officials if the import permit 
application process takes longer than 24 hours.  
Response:  Trader shall contact the Customer service center at the Ministry of Commerce 
and Industry for any delay beyond the 24 hours import application process time.  
 
10. Please explain whether Liberia intends to develop an electronic, web -based import permit 
system. If so, when does Liberia expect it will be implemented?  
 
Response:  The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has received support from the World Ba nk 
toward the development of a Single Window system for international trade. The single window will 
be a web -based system containing all import procedures.  
 
Page 52, Paragraphs 3.103 and 3.104:  According to the Secretariat Report, " The prices of the 
follow ing "critical essential commodities" are monitored by the MoCI: cement, flour, petroleum 
products, pharmaceutical products, and rice. The MoCI may set prices for rice (Section 4.1), review WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 31 - 
 
  prices monthly for petroleum products (Section 4.3.3), or set profi t margins on pharmaceuticals and 
flour."  
 
11. Please provide the full list of goods and services subject to price controls in Liberia.  
 
Response:  The goods subject to price controls are Rice, Petroleum products, Cement, Flour and 
Pharmaceuticals products.  
 
Page 56, paragraph: 3.120 : The Secretariat Report states that the Liberia Intellectual Property 
Office (LIPO) is responsible for "IPR protection."  
 
12. What duties does LIPO have (i.e., how does it protect intellectual property)?  
 
Response:  The Libe ria Intellectual Property Act of 2016, Section 9 through Section 16 outlines 
intellectual Property Right areas which the office is responsible for or has a duty to.  
 
Page 56, paragraph 3.121 (Table 3.11) : The Secretariat Report identifies the intellectual 
property treaties that Liberia has joined, including most recently the 2013 Marrakesh Treaty. To 
date, Liberia has not joined either the WIPO Copyright Treaty (WCT) or the WIPO Performances and 
Phonograms Treaty (WPPT).  
 
13. Does Liberia plan to join the WCT a nd the WPPT, which include important substantive 
obligations for modern copyright legislation? Please describe these plans.  
 
Response:  Yes, Liberia is in the process of submitting three (3) treaties and two (2) protocols to 
the Legislature through the Mini stry of Foreign Affairs for Accession and Ratification.  
 
Page 57, paragraph 3.123 : The Secretariat notes that the 2016 IPR law provides for payment of 
royalties for right holders' "exclusive economic rights."  
 
14. Please identify which rights are rights of equ itable remuneration and which rights are 
exclusive rights where the right holder can refuse to license or can set its own rate?  
 
Response:  Answer: Rights categorized as “rights of equitable remuneration” are rights of 
performers which provide a method whereby a person (performer) can control the dissemination or 
exploitation of their performances.  Under Liberia’s IP Law of 2016, Section 9.27 deals w ith the 
Rights of Performers; and Section 9.29 (a); (b); (c); (d) & (e) deal with Equitable Remuneration for 
Use of Sound Recordings.  All rights granted under Section 9.27, (a), a. i; a. ii;  a. iii;  a. iv;  a. v; 
& a. vi, are the exclusive rights of per formers, which impact the rights of equitable remuneration for 
use of sound recordings in music, movies,  films, television and radio advertisements and broadcasts 
which are communicated to the public; and by which a performer and producer may give or refu se 
to give license to a user and can set his own rate.  
 
15. The Secretariat Report also notes that there was an administrative regulation "for copyright 
licence tariff for the use of music and movies in sound recordings." Please provide more 
information about what types of uses this license tariff covers.  
 
Response:  LIPO Administrative Regulation named LIPO/CR/LT -PC/2022/0007, is a regulation 
conferred on LIPO by section 9.35 (a -d) of the 2016 Act which mandates LIPO to collect funds for 
Private Copying of Copy right protected works and amounts to be collected must be prescribed in a 
regulation.  
 
Page 57, paragraph 3.124 : The Secretariat states that a collective management organization 
called the Copyright Society of Liberia (COSOL) was established in 2019; that COSOL, LIPO, and the 
Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) are working on legal frameworks to guide the collection 
and distribution of royalties; and that royalty collection has not started (as of early 2023).  
 
16. Please provide an update on the status of this work on legal frameworks. What are the scope 
and expected deliverables?  
 
Response : COSOL  specific objective is to function as a multi -purpose collective management 
organization with responsibility to right -holders for both copyright and related rights over all genres WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
- 32 - 
 
  of copyright. To collect and distribute Royalty for the unauthorized commerc ial use of creative 
contents. There are five policies and legal framework documents to include Formulating Regulation, 
membership rules, distribution rules, copyright regulation on private copy, administrative regulation 
for copyright license tariff and co pyright regulations over the use of creative contents in sound 
recording.  
 
17. In addition, what is the expected timeline to begin collecting royalties, and for what rights 
in which works will royalties be collected? What is the timeline to begin distributing royalties?  
 
Response:  COSOL will begin collection and distribution of Royalties at the end of awareness and 
Sensitization exercises of all stakeholders especially the Judiciary.  
 
Page 57, paragraph 3.125 : The Secretariat Report notes that copyright "needs to be registered" 
at LIPO and that "the protection is provided equally to domestic and foreign right holders."  
 
18. Do works still have copyright protection even if they are not registered?  
 
Response:  Under the Berne Convention. However, copyright is encouraged locally for proof of 
originality.  
 
19. What benefits flow from registration?  
 
Response:  Economic rights and protections are but few benefits from registration.  
 
20. Is copyright registration voluntary o r mandatory for non -Liberian (foreign) authors?  
 
Response:  Copyright registration is voluntary.  
 
Page 57, paragraph 3.126 : The Secretariat notes that authorities have expressed infringement 
on the Internet is a challenge. In addition, the Secretariat state s that "LIPO and COSOL rolled out 
nationwide public awareness and inspection campaigns to remove pirated copyright materials and 
illegal content from the Liberian market."  
 
21. Please provide additional information regarding what are the specific challenges wi th 
infringement on the Internet.  
Response:  A major challenge of infringement on the internet is the lack of the domestication 
of international best practice on the issues of the usage of creative contents on the electronic 
media that are prohibited and no n-prohibited from downloading.  
 
22. Please provide more detail on the kinds of actions taken by LIPO and COSOL  to remove 
physical or digital pirated copyright materials from the Liberian market.  
 
Response:  LIPO/ COSOL did a sample survey to determine the users of creative contents both in 
soft and hard transactions, followed by the sensitization and educational e xercises through 
workshops, talk shows, jingles, competitions, etc. There is still a need for adequate funding to 
encourage additional sensitization and educational exercises for stakeholders and users.  
 
23. Has the government taken any legal action other than  the public awareness campaign?  
 
Response:  , the Government engaged in inspections and issue writs of summons on non -compliance 
business owners other than public awareness campaign.  
 
Page 60, paragraph 3.144 : The Secretariat Report states that LIPO recorde d 12 IP infringement 
cases where judgments have been made through administrative procedures, with one case being 
taken to appeal to the court.  
 
24. Please identify and describe the relevant administrative procedures, as well as a summary 
of actions taken under  these procedures.  
 
Response:  The Intellectual Property Act of 2016, Section 5.7 (ix), 5.8 (g), 5.9 (h) and Section 16.1 
-16.10 provides for Civil and Administrative procedures and remedies.  
 WT/TPR/M/441/Add.1  
 
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  Page 64, Paragraph 4.16:  According to the Secretariat report, L iberia provides support to its 
domestic farmers. Liberia has never submitted a DS:1 notification.  
 
25. When does Liberia plan to submit the outstanding domestic support notifications?  
 
Response:  this information will henceforth be disaggregated from ongoing pr oject reports and 
submitted through the MoCI from Q3 of fiscal year 2023  
 
Page 66, Paragraph 4.25 : According to the Secretariat report, the government of Liberia aims to 
maintain buffer stocks of three to six months of consumption of rice.  
 
26. How does Liberi a procure the buffer stock?  
 
Response:  Liberia procures its rice buffer stock through the private importers. Each rice importer 
is required to maintain at least 20,000 metric tons in their inventory per month. As at May 2023, 
there are 5 major importers of rice in Liberia.  
 
Part II. Questions based on the Government Report (WT/TPR/G/441)  
 
Page 7, paragraph 3.9 : Liberia states it continues to actively participate in the ongoing AfCFTA 
trade negotiations on Intellectual Property Rights.  
 
27. What is the status of those negotiations?  
 
Response:  The IPR Negotiations of the AfCFTA is ongoing. The Committee on IPR has adopted its 
Terms of Reference, and the modalities for negotiating the Protocol on IPRs. At the moment, there 
is stalemate on four issues: (1) whether or not to adopt existin g international and regional IPRs 
mechanisms, (2) the establishment of a new IPRs system tailored to the needs and interests of the 
African  Continent, (3) institutional arrangement and the financial implications, and (4) the 
multiplicity of IPRs systems u se on the continent and the likelihood of facing unwarranted challenges 
of implementation in light of the fact that  African countries are signatories to different IPRs 
instruments.  
 
28. Other than the reference to the AfCFTA negotiations, the Government Repor t does not 
mention intellectual property. Why is intellectual property not discussed in the Report?  
 
Response:  Intellectual Property was inadvertently left out of the Government Report, but the 
Government of Liberia considers very highly the important role  of the protection of intellectual 
property rights in the economy.  
 
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