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Doing business & staying in touch

Business dress is informal; normally a shirt and tie is acceptable. The language used in business circles is English.

Office hours: 

Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700.

Economy: 

The civil war caused severe damage to the economy and, following the peace settlement, reconstruction has been the highest priority as the infrastructure is in ruins. In 2003, unemployment was at 85% and inflation at 12% in 2007. Liberia's annual growth was 6% in 2010. Around 70% of the population work the land, producing rice and cassava as staple foods and palm oil, coffee and cocoa as cash crops. The country's principal export commodities are iron ore and rubber. Some gold and diamonds are also mined.

The manufacturing industry (still operating far below capacity) produces cement and other building materials, chemicals, drinks and tobacco and consumer products. Liberia operates one of the longest established open registry (flag of convenience) merchant shipping fleets. This continues to be an essential source of foreign exchange and government revenue.

Liberia relies heavily on international aid and financial support. It is a member of the West African trading bloc ECOWAS. The USA is Liberia's largest trading partner.

GDP: 

US$977 million (2006).

Main exports: 

Rubber, diamonds, iron ore, timber and cocoa.

Main imports: 

Mineral fuels, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods.

Main trading partners: 

South Korea, USA, EU, Japan, Sierra Leone and China.

Telephone: 

The internal network in Monrovia is gradually being extended over the country.

Mobile phone: 

Coverage is mostly limited to Monrovia and surrounding areas. There is some coverage along the north and northeastern borders with Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire.

Internet: 

There are a few Internet cafés in Monrovia and some hotels offer Internet.

Post: 

Airmail to Europe takes up to one month or can be as little as five days with an express mail service provider.

Media: 

Following years of civil war, Liberia's broadcasters and publishers are still struggling to find resources to pay their staff. LBS, the state-run broadcaster has no television service and operates a single radio service, which does not have national coverage. Private television stations include Clar TV, Power TV and Real TV. Many radio stations are run with the support of international agencies, such as UNMIL Radio, which is operated by the United Nations mission.

Press: 

Newspapers in Liberia are privately-run and include: The Inquirer, The News, Daily Observer and The Analyst.
Weekly publications include The Heritage.

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