Gov't committed to private sector - Haruna Iddrisu

Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Trade and Industry on Thursday re-assured the private sector of government’s commitment towards a holistic growth of the economy with the private entities playing pivotal role.

He said government had started with the implementation of the Private Sector Development Strategy II (PSDS) which set out interventions to resolve some challenges facing the private sector.

The Minister made this known in an address read on his behalf during a breakfast meeting organised by the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI).

The breakfast meeting mainly for the Chief Executive Officers of private companies created a platform for business executives, and other stakeholders to interact, share ideas and open-up networking ventures.

He said government had inaugurated the Private Sector Advisory Council with the mandate to hold Ministries, Departments and Agencies responsible for implementing the PSDS II.

Mr Iddrisu said Government had so far closed down 30 shops belonging to foreign nationals engaged in retail trade reserved for Ghanaians at Accra Central and Abbosey Okai since the beginning of this year.

This, he said, would promote the local retail business.

Mr Iddrisu urged private businesses to advertise on the National Web Based Product Gallery website of the Ministry to showcase their products and services to facilitate patronage.

Seth Adjei Baah, President, GCCI, noted that the chamber had over the years championed the cause of the private sector towards growth and prosperity of businesses.

“I can say without equivocation that we have made great strides in that direction notwithstanding the many challenges and setbacks we have encountered over the years,” he said.

Terrence Darko, Managing Director, Mechanical Lloyd, who was the Chairman for the meeting, appealed to Government to be committed to its desire to create the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

“It is only in doing this that more jobs and revenue would be generated to achieve the socio-economic development that we so desire,” he said.