Liberian businesses close in protest of high tariffs

By Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh

MONROVIA, Liberia (AA) - Stores and companies in Liberia’s capital Monrovia were closed Tuesday as business owners in the country staged a peaceful protest against a hike in tariffs.

Hundreds of protesters gathered before the National Legislature say their businesses will remain closed until the their demands -- reduction of tariffs on imported goods and of taxes on businesses -- are addressed by the government.

“Our businesses will remain close until the government addresses our concerns” Prince Howard head of the Patriotic Entrepreneurs Association of Liberia said

With one more year to the end of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf-led administration, the country’s economy suffered from a rising exchange rate that has increased commodity prices.