The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Samuel Dentu, says the Authority will actively participate in the discourse that ensures the high cost of renting containers at the ports by the importers are subsidized.
Speaking in an interview, he said there has been some consultative discussions on the matter irrespective of freighting being an entirely private business.
With cost of renting containers increasing, importers and exporters have pleaded with government to maintain port charges despite increase in international freight charges.
“When it comes to freighting, you realize that, that is also another private business. On the issue of freighting and cushioning exporters, we had lots of meetings with various organizations in the freighting business to ensure that our goods do not seize going offshore because of freight cost.
“GEPA as it were cannot directly cushion traders in terms of maybe, paying part of their freight cost. But we can speak with these private businesses; because of COVID we are able to ensure that their rate comes down.
“It is an issue for the freight and logistics providers themselves; there is a cut in business for them so they also look at ways they can cover up, but what we do is to be a middle organization that brings the two private organizations together and talk to see how we can make it easier for our exporters to sustain their business”.
Samuel Dentu
Under the National Export strategy meant to meet a target of $25 billion over a ten year implementation period. Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, GEPA remains optimistic of meeting the target.
Touching on the strategy towards its attainment particularly the contribution of the 1D1F on the export scale, Mr. Dentu said he reckons this year as “consolidating” what was done the previous year.
“As at the end of last year we had about 232 factories at various stages of implementations. I see this year as consolidating those factories… I thinks it’s aligned to our export strategies”.
Meanwhile, managers of the Integrated Customs Management Systems have issued a communique to stakeholders and exporters on the commencement of registration for goods under the continental free trade area.
Based on a notice, the ICUMS implementation team indicates that henceforth, any exporter or importer who wishes to trade under the new trade deal must pass through the ICUMS managed by UNIPASS.
The process of registration is the first step in ensuring that there is a seamless process for both importers and exporters that want to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
Initially, two Ghanaian firms, thus Kasapreko and Ghandour Cosmetics exported products in the first week of the official start of trade without the ICUMS registration process.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority together with the implementation team of ICUMS issued a directive to begin the process for registration on Monday 18th January.
“We are pleased to inform you that the online process for the application of the AfCFTA Exporter Registration in ICUMS has been completed and implemented. All potential AfCFTA Exporters should consult with a declarant to process their applications.
“They should complete the form and attached all relevant supporting documents and submit”.
