Exporters push for faster product registration

Ghanaian businesses could miss out on opportunities in the Chinese market if government does not make export registration and certification faster, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has cautioned.

The Association wants all product registration and approval processes for exporters to be completed within one month.

Executive Secretary of the Association, Sampson Asaki Awingobit, said exporters currently have to deal with several government agencies before they can get the documents needed to export their products.

He said the delays could make it difficult for Ghanaian businesses to benefit from China’s decision to grant Ghana 100% market access.

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Speaking at a High-Level Ghana-China Zero Tariff Policy Roundtable, he called for a single digital platform where exporters can submit their documents for all the relevant agencies to process.

“Going to government agencies to do registration of a product should not take you more than one month. We should not be moving from one office to another office,” he said.

Depending on the product, exporters may have to deal with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority and Plant Quarantine Division.

Awingobit said putting these agencies on one platform would reduce delays and make exporting easier.

He also identified access to finance as a major challenge, especially for young people and small businesses that want to export.

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He called on banks to provide suitable financing for export businesses and urged government to introduce incentives to encourage more young people to enter the export sector.

Sampson Asaki Awingobit said making the process easier would help Ghana increase exports to China, earn more foreign exchange and reduce its dependence on traditional exports.

DR/SA

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