Government would support non-traditional export sector-Vice President

The Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur on Friday said government would remain supportive of the non-traditional export sector to make it more globally competitive.

"We also urge stake-holders in the export sector to help promote the sector with a lot more innovation and effort."

The Vice President said this at the 22nd National Awards for Export Achievement, for the year 2011 in Accra.

The occasion was under the theme, "Providing Sustainable Motivation for Export Excellence."

In a speech read on his behalf by Mr. Stephen Amonoo Quao, a Minister of State at the presidency, Vice President Amissah-Arthur said the export sector involved a lot of risk and that, "you should therefore display a high sense of professionalism and dedication to succeed.’

He said the awards were to motivate them to work harder in the coming years.

The Vice President noted that, through economic management, the government had since 2009, brought inflation to a very low level, adding that, government was putting in place measures to stabilize the cedi by the end of the year, as part of its efforts to strengthen the economy.

Vice President Amissah-Arthur reminded Ghanaians that the economy could not thrive without peace and urged all to ensure a peaceful election.

Ms. Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, in a speech read on her behalf by Nana Kojo Adentu, Ag Deputy Director- Export Trade Development Section of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said the over reliance on imports and the country's inability to balance that with exports was one of the reasons for the rapid depreciation of the cedi.

She said the government had thus initiated programs to promote a conducive environment for the export of non-traditional goods and services.

"One of the strategies is to build and expand existing trade infrastructure to facilitate movement of our exports through the country. Government is therefore committing 500 million dollars, out of the three billion loan from the China Development Bank, to expand the Takoradi and Tema Ports, as well as rehabilitate the western railway line."

She said a national export strategy for the non-traditional export sector for the next four years was in its final phase of development.

"The strategy is to develop the potential of the non-traditional export sector to enable it to make maximum contribution to the growth of Gross Domestic Product and national development, to consolidate and enhance Ghana's middle income status, create job opportunities and ensure high living standards."

Ms. Hanna Tetteh said, with the European Union being the destination for over 45 percent of Ghana's annual exports, the government was seeking a regional economic partnership agreement with the EU.

She lauded the efforts of the Ghana Export Promotion authority and other stake-holders saying, "our current non -traditional exports to the sub-region is 655 million dollars. I challenge you all to move it to one billion dollars."

The Minister urged all exporters to take advantage of the solo exhibitions and all other exhibitions to increase their market reach and enhance Ghana's market share in the sub-region.

Mr. Kwabena Ade Coker, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, congratulated stake-holders for the 48.74 percent increase in export earnings of non-traditional exports recorded last year.

"We believe that this has been achieved through the hard work of the exporting community and the enabling Better Ghana Agenda of the government."

"We assure the Minister of Trade and the people of Ghana that we are on course to achieve and even exceed our set target of five billion dollars by 2015.

The exporter of the year award went to Interplast Limited, whilst Mrs Margaret Tweneboa-Boateng was given the award for the Woman Exporter of the year.

Others were the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, which was awarded for being the best in export services and ERNIMICH Limited, for the most diversified exports.

Gold and silver awards were also presented to several other companies and individuals.