Gov’t advocates trade portal for Africa

Dr Ekow Spio-Garbrah, the Minister of Trade and Industry, has advocated the establishment of a trade portal for the African continent.

He said the portal would help in trade facilitation and improvement in bilateral trade relations.

Dr Spio-Garbrah was speaking at the Swiss-Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Breakfast meeting on the theme: “Innovations in trade facilitation and e-government” in Accra.

The Breakfast meeting was to share common challenges with members of the Chamber and also learn about new trends in trade facilitate in the country.

He commended the contributions of the Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet) for their innovative systems to improve on business growth.

The Minister urged the Chamber to support the Ministry in championing the crusade against high interest rates charged on loan facilities given to businesses.

He said government would not encourage companies, who evade duties and taxes in their business operation and therefore urged the companies to abide by regulations concerning doing business in Ghana.

He said government would continue to provide the enabling environment to support businesses to strive and grow.

Mr Carl Sackey, the Product Development Manager, GCNet, said GCNet would soon introduce the trade visualisation portal, new customs management system, and a free zone management system to provide better services to clients.

He said it was to improve on trade facilitation and enhance government revenue and promised they would continue to invest in infrastructure and service delivery.

“We will continue to work with government to attract investment into the country,” he added.