Liberia's Commerce Minister Miata Beysolow says a trade policy for the country has been drafted following comprehensive research and consultative processes with relevant stakeholders. Minister Beysolow said the overall vision of the trade policy is to re-integrate Liberia into the international economy and trading systems while being sensitive to the interests of local producers.

She said the intent is to use trade as an engine of economic growth to reduce poverty in Liberia.

The Commerce Minister spoke Wednesday at a two-day national trade mainstream workshop organized by the Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a local group in Monrovia.

She said the trade policy seeks to promote a balanced relationship between trade liberalization and sustainable development that protects women, youth and the poor, especially those in the rural areas.

Minister Beysolow told the gathering that as part of efforts to mainstream trade into Liberia's medium and long-term development strategies, government has initiated key policy efforts aimed at strengthening existing trade ties with sub-regional and international counterparts.

According to her, this would promote trade within the subregion, increase cross-border trade with neighboring African countries, support the establishment of a full West Africa Customs Union, and support the establishment of a West African Monetary Union, among others.

Minister Beysolow indicated that the policy would improve access to global markets by integrating into global system, multilateral trading agreement, especially those that promote the long term interests of Liberia as a country in transition from war to peace and economic stability.

The two-day workshop brought together more than 75 participants from the public and private sectors.