Minister of Trade asks GEPC to penetrate Asian market

Accra Dec. 14, GNA - The newly constituted eight-member Board of Directors of Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC), has been tasked to ensure that Ghana's non-traditional exports had access to the Asian market.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hannah Tetteh, who made the call at the inauguration of the Board, said that "We have concentrated on the European market leaving out the Asian market. We need to break through th=e sian market as well".

Ms Tetteh asked Board members to tap the advantages of multi-lateral=

trades to enable the Ministry and its institutions meet their trade objectives. She challenged them to work harder so that Ghana's goods and services co= uld meet the best quality requirement on the international market.

Ms Tetteh noted that under the ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme, Ghana had=

not been able to penetrate the market in the sub region and called for collaboration from the Ministry's institutions to meet their set targets. She said that activities of GEPC were key to government because it could=

improve the country's economic performance.

The board with membership from Ghana National Chamber of Commerce, Ministries of Information and Trade as well as GEPC, is chaired by Mr. Joseph Kobina Ade-Coker, a businessman.

Other members include Mr Kwadwo Owusu Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer o= f GEPC, Mrs Milly E. Kyofa-Boamah, Mrs Elizabeth H. Adetola, Mr Prince Amoako-Nuamah, Mr George Aboagye and Ms Juliana Oduro. Mrs. Beatrice Rosa Brobbey, a member was however absent. Mr Ade-Coker on behalf of the members said that if the Board was given adequate funding and the necessary attention from all stakeholders in the=

sector, they would be able to steer the affairs efficiently and effective= ly to achieve the middle income status envisioned by government.

He pledged their commitment and loyalty in growing the export sector for=

the socio-economic development of the country. "It's our goal to ensure that the non-traditional export will grow from its present 1.34 billion dollar to five billion dollar mark in 2015 as projec= ted by the MOTI towards fulfilment of the government's vision of creating a Better Ghana for all." Mr Ade-Coker said the board would ensure that more value was added to Gh= ana's non-traditional exports as well as expand their operations to become the engine of growth. GEPC an autonomous body established in 1969, is a national export trade support institution facilitating the development and promotion of Ghana's=

non-traditional exports. The council has also been tasked to ensure that export trade contributes= to economic growth through increased and sustainable production and competit= ive export market access. 14 Dec. 09