Date of publication: March 28, 2006
Source: The Analyst (AllAfrica)
THE LIBERIAN EMBASSY in Washington D.C. last week dispatched a communication highlighting that the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, had signed a proclamation to reinstate duty-free trade benefits for the Republic of Liberia. The communication
went on to say that the duty free trade benefits are part of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. Accordingly, the reinstatement will provide Liberian businesses with an opportunity to export products to the United States free of duty. The Embassy communication also quoted a statement from the US Trade Representative, Rob Portman in Washington DC as saying "reinstating Liberia's GSP eligibility is a strong support by the Government of President George W. Bush to President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's efforts to increase employment, diversify exports and to stabilize the Liberian economy".
UNDOUBTEDLY, THIS IS a positive, heartwarming gesture from the United States Government after almost sixteen years of the revocation of the privilege from the country in 1990. But more importantly, this measure is a huge dividend of cordiality and manifests confidence in the Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf administration barely two months of its ushering into office for the country to be accorded such highly sought opportunity. We welcome it and congratulate President George W. Bush and the US Congress as well as the US government and people for the magnanimous goodwill for the new government and the people of Liberia. This move, especially after a high profile presence of the United States at the inauguration of the new government, is a further tangible signal of the unflagging lead of the United States and other partners to push Liberia beyond the years of upheavals for guaranteed peace and rapid recovery.
WHILE EXPRESSING OUR commendations to the Americans, we also wish to plead that they manifest enormous latitude of goodwill for whatever limited commodities will be forthcoming from this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, it is no secret that Liberia's economic infrastructures
are virtually nonexistent and that therefore all she has are raw materials that are in need of processing, standardization, and qualification in both quality and quantity. This plea comes in
cognizance of the superior quality of other countries now benefiting from the same GSP program with which Liberia is expected to fall in line. Those stringent requirements needing ultramodern tools to scientifically attest or verify the genuineness of the commodities are not available here, needless to say.
LIBERIA IS BEREFT of a grid of electricity to serve whatever remains as manufacturing enterprises and therefore does not have the wherewithal for competitiveness on the international stage of commerce. What this means is she must be placed in a special category that perhaps does not exist now, if she must reap what the GSP has to offer. Allowing Liberia into partnership even for trade at this time is akin to conceding to help beyond measure for convenience. This is where understanding takes precedence above standards. Unless this aspect of the privilege is
understood, there would be less dividends or proceeds from the entire undertaking. The country would not pass the tight or rigorous test of the hour. But confidence for now will pay off in the very shortest possible time for mutual benefits.
HAVING SAID THAT, we urge the Sirleaf Administration not to rest on its oars. In the immediate short-term, this government must put its commercial house in order by using its meager resources and qualified personnel as well as the assistance of the international partners to
restore the Bureau of Standards situated at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to be up to the challenge of the hour. There is a need for refresher sessions for representatives of all enterprises or concessions involved in exporting commodities in line with these privileges. The is the need for the setting of a quality standard laboratory to test for quality and quantity so as to be in the position to issue the relevant export certificates that will be respected. The current "fair quality
standard" or whatever they call it that Liberia is relying on is irrelevant to modern trade standards. The Commerce Ministry as the chief magistrate in this milieu must key in with all the concerned especially the Liberian Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC) to harmonize the process of transshipping commodities to take advantage of this favorable opportunity for the country. It will advise all concerned that there is no silver platter on which the country will take advantage of the
privilege.
ONCE AGAIN, WE thank the American government and people. But as we indicated above, the ready usability of an object from a friend at the moment of desperation qualifies it as a gift. The GSP privileges needs special review and adjustment as part of Liberia's marshal plan for
reconstruction.