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The civil war caused severe damage to the economy and, following the peace settlement, reconstruction has been the highest
priority. 70 per cent 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, followed by Germany, Belgium, France and Italy.
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Overview 
