MONROVIA, Sept. 22 -- Liberia's historic crossing of the US$1 billion domestic revenue mark is being celebrated by the government as a major fiscal achievement.

By Edwin G. Genoway, Jr

Liberia's economist and politician Simeon Freeman has raised fresh questions over Liberia's revenue system, claiming that approximately US$400 million is being squeezed out of the local economy through charges that are not reflected in the government's budgetary revenue figures.

Freeman said the amount includes payments associated with port operations, terminal charges, shipping companies, tracking fees and other costs incurred when goods enter Liberia.

While acknowledging that international trade taxes account for a significant portion of government re...