US Trade Representative Rob Portman declares that President Bush has reinstated duty-free trade benefits for the Republic of Liberia under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program.
"By reinstating Liberia's GSP eligibility the United States is providing strong support to recently elected President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's efforts to increase employment, diversify exports, and stabilize society," said Ambassador Portman. "Liberia is emerging from nearly two decades of war. GSP will be a useful tool in helping to rebuild Liberia and bring hope to its people.
The benefits were suspended in 1990 because of worker rights concerns. President Sirleaf has made improving worker rights a high priority. This includes repeal of a decree to prohibit strikes and inviting the International Labor Organization (ILO) to assist Liberia in bringing its laws and practices into conformity with its ILO obligations.
Liberia 's reinstated benefits under the GSP program will become effective in two stages. Eligibility as a developed beneficiary developing country (BDC) will occur fifteen days, allowing Liberia to export a number of products duty-free to the United States.
After a 60-day period of Congressional review, Liberia will become a least developed BDC, which will provide Liberian businesses with the ability to export additional products to the United States free of duty.
United States Trade Representative
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