Submitted in partial fulfillment of the degree Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Advisor: Professor Joel P. Trachtman
Accession to the World Trade Organization is a huge undertaking for any country, not least for a low-income and post-conflict country such as Liberia. Countries undertake a range of commitments to pass new legislations, amend ... read morelaws, create new institutions, adjust dysfunctional systems and even train the relevant personnel to operationalize these new or modified legislations, procedures, and policies. This capstone explores the significant changes in Liberia’s business environment driven by the fundamental WTO principles of transparency and predictability as required under WTO laws.Using surveys and IFI reports on Liberia, it is seen that WTO Membership provided early momentum in the first couple of years after accession. However, downward and upward transparency/predictability progress has become gravely affected by a combination of factors, including lack of steady technical assistance, underutilized capacity, limited political will, low private sector participation and shifting priorities.read less
