AGI asked to enhance research and information flow

Accra, Nov. 18, GNA - Trade and Industries Minister Alan Kyerematen on Friday asked the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to step up research and dissemination of information to enhance the development and growth of businesses.

He said the success and growth of any business in the global competitive environment depended on the availability of authentic information and data to aid decision-making.

In this direction, the Minister asked the AGI to consider engaging a full-time economic analyst to conduct in-depth analysis of economic legislations to enhance their advocacy role to the Government. Mr Kyerematen was speaking at the launch of activities marking the 5th Industrial Week Celebration of AGI on the theme: "Business Associations and Their Role in Mobilising the Private Sector for Effective Interventions in National Development."

Activities lined up for the week include forum with revenue agencies, launch of the sub-contracting partnership exchange directory and the election of new officers.

The Minister said the Ministry and the Ghana Statistical Service were undertaking an industrial census in the manufacturing; mining; water; electricity and construction sectors as a means to get adequate information to promote policy making.

Besides, the Government would also use the result of the survey to monitor the business sectors as a whole and come out with informed policies to enhance performance.

Mr Kyerematen expressed regret about industries not giving support to the programme and appealed to them to cooperate in providing data on their operations to help to inform the relevant policies. He urged the AGI to upgrade its training programmes as well as provide industrial attachment for young graduates.

The companies should also be alive to their social and environmental responsibility and to promote dialogue and dispute settlement mechanisms for a conducive atmosphere for operations. In a statement, the UN Secretary-General, Busumuru Kofi Annan called for moves to address the trade imbalance between developed and developing countries.

He urged developed countries to use the opportunity to be provided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Meeting next month to eliminate restrictions on exports from the least developed countries. Busumuru Annan said although eliminating trade barriers was necessary, it would not be sufficient for the growth of African export. He said it was important African countries achieved technological, social and economic capacity to take advantage of increased market access.