Liberia: implications of rice, cement tariff reduction

On 4th January  2013, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president, issued executive orders Nos 45 and 46 with immediate effect suspending tariffs on rice and cement. The intention is to ensure a simultaneous reduction in the market price of rice and cement.

In the interest of national reconstruction and development the government decided to re-instituting the suspension of the protective tariff on cement by wavering the US$2 protective tariff. It also aims at encouraging the establishment of local industries to supply goods to the general public as government granted certain incentives to Cemenco for the production of cement.

The government intends to continue to bring relief to the public with these measures having conducted an assessment and evaluation of the causes of the increase in the price of strategic commodities.