The Chairman, Amb. Joakim Reiter (Sweden), said that members are aware of the challenges faced by Liberia in acceding to the WTO in the light of its situation as an LDC coming out of a long period of strife. He pledged to work towards accelerating the accession process, and expressed the hope that trade cooperation would bring peace and stability to the country.

Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry Aletha Browne-Cooper said that after a period of civil conflict lasting 14 years, her country of 3.8 million people finally achieved peace in 2003. She noted that the International Monetary Fund had calculated Liberia’s per capita GDP at $456 for 2011 — the second lowest of 183 countries measured, and pointed to a very high unemployment rate and the limited domestic market. She said Liberia was undergoing economic transformation, and that efforts to accede to the WTO would act as a catalyst for making and locking in difficult but positive reforms.

Many members supported the early accession of Liberia to the WTO, and expected that this would be facilitated by the new accession guidelines for LDCs to be adopted by the General Council later this month.

The United States said it is linked to Liberia by history, and pledged maximum effort to assist in the accession process. It said that Liberia’s economic reforms have created an “Open for Business” sign for foreign investors.

The European Union said the accession process will help Liberia modernize its economy, and pledged technical assistance.

Japan said accession will enable Liberia to integrate itself into the multilateral trading system and assist domestic growth.

Haiti, on behalf of the LDC Group, expressed the hope that the new accession guidelines would facilitate the process for Liberia.

Lesotho, on behalf of the African Group, urged members to be considerate and approach with due sensitivity the “unique case” of Liberia. It added that members should not hamper regional integration efforts in Africa. Nigeria said it is optimistic that Liberia can join before its five-year target.

India called on members to take a flexible approach to Liberia, adding that this would be a test for the new accession guidelines for LDCs.

China called on members to support the early accession of Liberia.

Australia underlined the need for providing technical assistance to Liberia.

Yemen, speaking as an observer, said it fully supported the accession of Liberia.

The Working Group conducted its first reading of Liberia’s 125-page Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime. It also considered Liberia’s answers to 91 questions posed in advance of the meeting, with some members, notably the United States and the European Union, asking follow-up questions.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chair said the first meeting of the Working Party had been “useful, efficient and business-like”. He urged Liberia to submit its goods and services draft schedules of commitments as soon as possible, and to keep members informed of legislative work related to its accession.

Amb. Reiter called on Liberia and members to intensify bilateral contacts, and for members to submit further questions by 10 August 2012. He hoped to organize the next meeting as soon as possible, but this would depend on inputs from Liberia and the members.

Background information

• Application received on 13 June 2007
• Working Party established on 18 December 2007
• Working Party Chairperson: Ambassador Joakim Reiter (Sweden))
• Working Party Secretary: Ms. Alicja Wielgus
• Working Party Co-Secretary: Ms. Juneyoung Lee
• 1st Working Party meeting: 11 July 2012