President Mahama lauds non-traditional exporters for boosting revenue generation

Mrs. Mona Helen Quartey, Deputy Minister of Finance
The President, John Dramani Mahama, has commended exporters of non-traditional products nationwide for their contributions to national revenue.

He said the sector had increased its contribution to national revenue from GH¢ 7.2 billion in 2014 to GH¢ 9.2 billion in 2015, in spite of the stiff competition and the present economic challenges.

“I, therefore, congratulate all exporters of non-traditional products for their contribution to national revenue from the non-traditional export sector of our economy,” he said.

A Deputy Minister of Finance, Mrs. Mona Helen Quartey, said this on behalf of the President at the 25 & 26th Presidential National Award for Export Achievement (PNAEA) in Accra last Wednesday.

The event was organised under the auspices of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) and was on the theme, “Celebrating Export Excellence”.

GEPA is the national export trade support institution that facilitates the development and promotion of Ghanaian export.

President Mahama urged exporters to access funds from the Export and Import Bank of Ghana (EXIM) to expand their production.

“The EXIM is envisaged to support you, the private sector, to diversify and expand your supply base as well as your domestic market,” he explained.

In all, seventy-two awards were given to companies for their contributions to the country’s non-traditional export sector for 2014 and 2015.

The awards were categorised into eight sections. They were special honorary, silver, gold, platinum, most diversified exporter, export service, woman exporter and exporter of the year.

Niche Cocoa Industry Limited, a private entity engaged in cocoa products and confectionery, was adjudged the Exporter of the Year for 2014 and 2015, while the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation -Trade Capacity Building Project Office, a trade capacity-building entity, was awarded the Export Services Company, 2015.

The Most Diversified Exporter for 2014 was won by Nestle Ghana Limited, producers of baby food, cocoa confectionery, milk, cream and coffee, while Kingdom Exim Ghana Limited, producers of cashew nuts and animal products, was awarded the Most Diversified Exporter for 2015.

Other companies received special honorary, silver, gold and platinum awards for 2014 and 2015 PNAEA.

The Chief Executive of GEPA, James Zuugah Tiigah, urged exporters to take advantage of the opportunities under the preferential international trade agreements such as the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).