National Export Strategy 2014-2018
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THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY 2014-2018 © shutterstock Republic of Liberia The National Export Strategy of Liberia was developed on the basis of the process, methodology and technical assistance of the International Trade Centre ( ITC ). The views expressed herein do not reflect the official opinion of ITC. This document has not been formally edited by ITC. ITC is the joint agency is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Street address: ITC 54-56, rue de Montbrillant 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Postal address: ITC Palais des Nations 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Telephone: +41-22 730 0111 Fax: +41-22 733 4439 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.intracen.org THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA NATIONAL EXPORT STRATEGY 2014-2018 Republic of Liberia II INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Five core strategies ( cassava, rubber, cocoa, fish and crustaceans, and oil palm ) form an inte- gral part of Liberia’s National Export Strategy ( NES ), an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI). These five core strategies are complemented by the three cross- cutting strategies ( access to finance, quality management, and trade logistics ). The formulation of the NES was led by the MoCI with the technical assistance of the International Trade Centre ( ITC ). This document represents the efforts of a number of key individuals from ministries and agencies that committed countless hours in mobilization, facilitation, analyses and reviews of documents. Thanks go to the relevant trade support institutions in Liberia that have relentlessly given their tireless effort in several consulta- tions and deliberations on keys issues and constraints in the sector and have proposed solutions aimed at addressing the hurdles. The initial formulation of this document began under former Minister Miata Beysolow with support from key staff within the erstwhile Planning and Research and Trade Divisions. This final document brings to an end years of technical and policy actions that have seen this final product under the Honorable Minister Axel M. Addy with support from the Bureau of Trade Services. Special thanks also go to the Ministry of Agriculture ( MoA ) for its cooperation including other relevant members of the Industry Coordination Committee ( ICC ) that participated in the validation of the NES. The coordination support of MoCI : International Trade Centre : Hon. Candace B. Eastman Anton J. Said Deputy Minister, MoCI Chief, Export Strategy Hon. Stephen Marvie Rahul Bhatnagar Assistant Minister, MoCI Project Manager Moses Nyenpan Samuel R. Monger Core Team Member National Consultant Alex S. Wuo Jesús Alés Core Team Member Graphic Design and layout Marnie Mac Donald Editor Acknowledgement is also given to former Deputy Minister Aletha Browne-Cooper and former Navigator Lowell Wesley for their contributions Acknowledgement is also given to Alberto González during the sector strategy development process. and Ishwar Haritas for their contributions during the sector strategy development process. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE III The various participants and contributors in Liberia: Souliman V. Kamara Isaac James LAADCO and ACDI / VOCA Farmers Against Hunger ( FAH ) Abraham S. Focko Jonathan S. Roberts COLINBO FAH Martin Scott Tabi Thomas Wreh Ministry of Foreign Affairs Premier Consulting Enterprise, LLC Mamie Davies Moses Dweh Mamie and Sons Ent. NAPAH Michael Titoe Vincent Servis Ministry of Agriculture Liberia Agriculture Company ( LAC ) Francis Mwah Tues G. Davis Ministry of Agriculture Liberia Rubber Development Authority Daniel Korpea Roger Sherman Ministry of Agriculture Rubber Planters Association of Liberia ( RPAL ) Hon. Chea Garley Simeon Wohee Ministry of Agriculture RPAL Abu Konneh Ludean Teage Ministry of Agriculture Liberia Rubber Development Authority James Dolo Soloman Gofleto Bureau National Fisheries / MoA Union of Liberia Farmers James Sayon Chris J. Tealeh National Rubber Brokers and Farmers Union ACDI / VOCA of Liberia ( NARBFUL ) Fanta Conde Barclay Fred Johnson Intellectual Property Systems Ministry of Commerce and Industry J. Adams Manoba Cassell K. Henry, II Environmental Agency Ministry of Commerce and Industry Rudolph Quiah Marbu Golafile University of Liberia Ministry of Commerce and Industry Martin Nganje Roland Morris IUCN West African Regional Office Intellectual Property System ( IPS ) Robert S. Bimba Rufus Kakar CHAP Ministry of Commerce and Industry Emmanuel Togba Nat Gbaba ECOBANK National Port Authority Alfred Kawreh T. NcGill Barclay Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association Liberia Business Registry Theresa Bayon Sampson Boimah Liberia Artisanal Fishermen Association RADO Marron Nimely Charles Blah Liberia Business Association NARBFUL Betty J. Woods Roland C. Kaine Global Bank Liberia Ltd NARBFUL Gormai Koboi Francis Younge Liberia Intellectual Property Organization NARBFUL Desmon Cupaon Thomas Katie National War Victims Assistance Program NARBFUL Nathaniel G. Doe P. Comince Nimely National Investment Commission NAFAL Nyan Yoko Newah Tarlo Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation Tarlo Mixed Farm Gus Roberts BRANDCO IV INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE FOREWORD BY H.E. ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF, PRESIDENT, REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA To support businesses, the National Export Strategy will provide support to key sectors where the best opportunities exist to generate export diversification. Through the implementation of this Strategy, we ex- pect to create a vibrant and diversified export basket and open new markets and opportunities for busi- ness owners. INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE V FOREWORD BY ARANCHA GONZÁLEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ITC The story of Liberia is one of overcoming challenges and The National Export Strategy will be a game changer. It has charting a forward looking path. It is with this in mind that the potential to better democratize the country’s export I am particularly pleased to launch this National Export culture and increase diversification of economic activity Strategy ( NES ) of Liberia. Liberia has made significant to include rural areas beyond Monrovia, which has been strides in the past decade in addressing its post-conflict the traditional economic hub. The five priority sectors of challenges including displacement, poverty and economic the strategy are : cocoa; fish and crustaceans; oil palm ; stagnation. There is much to be done, but the economy is rubber ; and cassava. They were selected for their poten- on the right track with positive growth in the Gross Domestic tial to sharply raise in-country value, distribute value more Product for each of the last seven years. Forecasts in- equitably, and to improve competitiveness in international dicate this trajectory will continue in the years ahead. markets. These are all labour-intensive sectors that offer significant potential to attract domestic and foreign invest- Liberia is now poised to engage strategically with trade ment. Trends for these sectors indicate stable or increas- and external markets in order to further its development. ing demand in world markets. Liberian policymakers have signalled their commitment to inclusive growth through investment in national initiatives, The strategy also addresses cross-cutting issues that are such as the Government and Economic Management critical to ensuring sustainable development. Improvements Assistance Program and national development plans, in access to finance, quality management and trade fa- such as the Diagnostic Trade Integration Study, the cilitation are overarching issues that will drive the further Poverty Reduction Strategy, the National Gender Policy development of value chains and regional integration and the Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise beyond the five priority sectors identified in the strategy. Strategy. ITC is proud of having worked with Liberia to con- tribute to its trade development strategies and welcomes The National Export Strategy is a demand-driven doc- the launch of Liberia’s first-ever National Export Strategy. ument which is owned and governed by Liberia for Liberians. We look forward with anticipation to the next This National Export Strategy delivers an end-to-end val- phase-implementation. This will demand dedicated ef- ue chain analysis, which allows development partners fort from Liberians and the international community. The to identify the most appropriate projects, in terms of tim- ITC will stand firmly by the Government and the People ing and sectors, to support Liberia’s development plans. of Liberia in this endeavour. Indeed, Liberia’s National Export Strategy will serve to better coordinate Trade-related Technical Assistance and ensure that aid is coherent with the country’s long-term aims and priorities. The key now is to move to implement the Plans of Action outlined in this document. Support from development partners will be of the essence. VI INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE FOREWORD BY THE HONORABLE AXEL M. ADDY, MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY The National Export Strategy ( NES ) aims to provide a Thanks and appreciation go to the Ministry of Agriculture needs-based blueprint for improving the export develop- for their tireless effort in providing technical and moral ment potential of the country thereby contributing to the support during several consultations held which led to the socioeconomic growth of Liberia. Anchored in a strong drafting and finalization of the strategy document. public-private dialogue, a comprehensive analysis