Liberia

Liberia’s post-war economic growth was sustained in 2012, with estimated real GDP growth of 8.9%, led by the first full year of post-conflict iron ore exports, buoyant construction, and strong performance in services. Real GDP is projected to expand by 7.7% in 2013 and 5.4% in 2014, supported by further iron ore expansion and concessionrelated foreign direct investment (FDI). Liberia’s economic outlook remains vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices, particularly for its key exports, rubber and iron ore. Potential declines in FDI and overseas development assistance, including the partial drawdown of the substantial UNMIL force, could also affect economic performance. Consumer price inflation moderated to 6.9% in 2012, thanks to lower international food and fuel prices, and is expected to further slow to 5.1% in 2013.

L’expansion économique d’après-guerre s’est poursuivie au Liberia en 2012, avec une croissance du PIB réel estimée à 8.9 %, tirée par la première année complète d’exportation de minerai de fer depuis la fin du conflit, un secteur du bâtiment dynamique et les solides performances du secteur des services. Le PIB réel devrait progresser de 7.7 % en 2013 et de 5.4 % en 2014 grâce à la poursuite du développement des exportations de minerai de fer et à l’investissement direct étranger (IDE) lié aux concessions. Les perspectives économiques du Liberia restent tributaires des fluctuations des cours des matières premières, en particulier pour ses exportations clés (caoutchouc et minerai de fer). Une diminution potentielle de l’IDE et de l’aide internationale au développement, notamment le retrait d’une partie des importants effectifs de la Minul, pourrait également affecter les performances économiques. L’inflation des prix à la consommation a ralenti à 6.9 % en 2012 grâce au recul des prix internationaux des denrées alimentaires et des produits pétroliers, et elle devrait poursuivre ce ralentissement en 2013 pour atteindre 5.1 %.

En 2011, l'économie du Liberia a enregistré sa huitième année consécutive de croissance d'après-guerre, avec une progression estimée de 6.9 % dans l'année. Ceci est le résultat des premières exportations de minerai de fer depuis la fin du conflit, des importantes exportations de caoutchouc et de l’accroissement de la production forestière. L'investissement direct étranger (IDE) dans la construction minière, le caoutchouc et les importations de bois ainsi que les récents investissements dans les plantations d’huile de palme vont contribuer à la croissance dans les années à venir. La progression du produit intérieur brut (PIB) devrait atteindre 8.8 % en 2012 grâce à la première année complète d'exportation de minerai de fer, puis retomber à 7.2 % en 2013.

Liberia’s economy recorded its eighth consecutive year of post-war growth in 2011, expanding by an estimated 6.9% in the year. This was driven by the first iron-ore exports since the end of the war, strong rubber exports, and increased timber production. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in mine construction, rubber and timber exports, and recent investments in palm-oil plantations will contribute to growth in the coming years. GDP growth is expected to increase to 8.8% in 2012 due to the first full year of iron-ore exports, and to moderate to 7.2% in 2013.

Liberia's economy is recovering from the global economic downturn. Growth in 2010 was estimated at 6.1%, up from 4.6% in 2009, driven by an increase in exports and foreign direct investment (FDI). Growth is projected to reach 7.3% in 2011 and 8.9% in 2012. The rise in exports was thanks to an increase in commodity prices, particularly rubber, palm oil and minerals. In 2010, the government also began receiving royalty payments (of USD 1.57 million) from the extractive industries sector and these are projected to grow to USD 30 million by 2015.

Depuis la fin de la deuxième guerre civile, qui a déchiré le pays entre 1999 et 2003, la reconstruction et le volume d’aide impressionnant débloqué par les donneurs stimulent la croissance économique du Liberia. Estimée dans un premier temps à 10.8 % pour 2009, la croissance du produit intérieur brut (PIB) en volume a dû être revue à la baisse à 4.1 %, car le redémarrage complet des activités minières et de la production de bois d’oeuvre a pris du retard. Cette croissance devrait être alimentée par l’agriculture (y compris la foresterie) et par les services. Les perspectives pour 2010 et 2011 sont positives étant donné que la crise du crédit et la récession mondiales sont en train de se dissiper. Selon les projections, le PIB devrait afficher une croissance d’environ 6.9 % en 2010 et de 7.7 % en 2011.

Liberia’s economic growth has been helped by reconstruction and impressive donor assistance since the end of the country�fs second recent civil war from 1999 to 2003. Real gross domestic product (GDP) was initially estimated to have grown 10.8% in 2009, but this was adjusted down to 4.1% because of delays in getting the key mining and timber industries up to full speed. Growth is expected to be driven by the agriculture (including forestry) and service sectors. ð“e outlook in 2010 and 2011 is positive as the global credit crunch and recession ease. GDP growth is projected to rise about 6.9% in 2010 and 7.7% in 2011.

In 2005, Liberia became the first African country to elect a woman, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, as president. The Constitution of Liberia prohibits discrimination. In 2001, the government created a Ministry for Gender and Development and in 2006 published a National Gender-Based Violence Plan of Action. In 2009 the government also published “The Liberia National Action Plan for the Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325”. Liberia is one of the first African countries to write this four year plan to advance women’s equality and mainstream gender in the country. Currently, the position of women in Liberia varies according to region, ethnic group and religion. Customary laws are a major contributing factor to inequality: women who are married according to these laws are considered to be legal minors. The civil war and widespread sexual violence that ravaged Liberia has also had grave consequences for women.

LE LIBERIA A POURSUIVI SES EFFORTS en vue de surmonter les séquelles de la guerre civile qui a secoué le pays pendant des années. Le pays affiche aujourd’hui des signes de reprise économique et a réalisé des progrès sur la voie de la stabilité politique, de la réconciliation, de la restauration de la paix et de la sécurité nationale. Selon les estimations, le produit intérieur brut (PIB) en volume du Liberia aurait enregistré une croissance de 7.3 pour cent en 2008. Cette croissance est directement liée à la reprise des activités de sylviculture, l’augmentation des exportations de diamants et d’or et de la production de riz, ainsi qu’au dynamisme continu des secteurs des services et de la construction.

LIBERIA HAS CONTINUED TO MAKE PROGRESS in overcoming the devastating effects of years of civil conflict. The country has shown signs of economic recovery and progress in attaining political stability, reconciliation, peace and national security. Liberia’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 7.3 per cent in 2008. That growth is directly related to the resumption of forestry operations; increased diamond and gold exports; higher production of rice; and the continued vibrancy of the services and construction sectors. At the same time, government sources report that the global financial crisis has adversely affected Liberia in a number of ways: a drop in rubber prices of over 63 per cent between October 2008 and January 2009, the loss of income by the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) from reduced interest rates on its foreign deposits, a fall in inward workers’ remittances from USD 303.3 million (US dollars) at the end of 2007 to USD 181 million at the end of November 2008; salary cuts and lay-offs especially on large rubber plantations and a reduction in both continuing and planned investments. The government has responded by proposing a number of specific tax cuts and a USD 2 million guarantee fund to assist Liberian entrepreneurs.

There are numerous experiences of contracting out in the health sector throughout the developing world as well as in post-conflict and fragile states. The health sector has provided leadership at the global level of government contracting out services to the non-government sector, and is an excellent starting point for fragile states in the process of rebuilding their country’s infrastructure and work force and regaining the confidence of their citizens.

LIBERIA IS A FRAGILE STATE UNDERGOING a postconflict transformation with the assistance of the international community, which has deployed peacekeepers and police personnel to support the stability of the country’s political and security situation. Within the constraints of several war-induced impediments, including a collapsed infrastructure, degraded institutional capacity and loss of experienced and skilled manpower, the economy has rebounded strongly following the cessation of conflict. Real GDP growth has risen strongly since 2004, reaching an estimated 8.0 per cent in 2007. As a consequence of the gradual improvement in security in rural areas agricultural production has revived, and there has been a resumption ofmining and forestry activity. RealGDP growth is projected to rise to 9.2 per cent in 2008 and further to 11.0 per cent in 2009.