The President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), James Asare-Adjei has called on government to as a matter of urgency reconsider the Trade Liberalization policies and also address the problem of multiplicity of taxes that affect members of the association.

According him, the nature of the policy is gradually turning Ghana into a heavily import dependent economy, a situation he says is very worrying to local industries.

“It is obvious that local industries are experiencing numerous challenges, to mention a few, access and cost of credit, high and unbearable electricity tariffs to industry, stiff competition to imported product,” he said.

“We have increasingly become an import dependent economy I believe we must reconsider our trade liberalization policies which seems to give unlimited access to all kinds of imports into our markets. The challenges of globalization emanating from the keen competition from imported goods keep on eroding the competitiveness of local industries,” he added.

Mr. Asare-Adjei bemoaned the multiplicity of taxes that businesses are subjected to and called on government to collaborate with industry player to remedy the situation.

He made the statement at the association’s awards night held at the Banquet Hall in Accra.

Over twenty companies and industries were awarded for their outstanding achievements and their immense contribution to the development of Ghana`s economy.

This year`s event had seven award categories and 21 sector awards.

Some of the sector awards included, Automobile Sector Awards, Agribusiness, Electricals and Electronics, Oil and Gas, and Pharmaceuticals, among others.

Below is the full list of Award winners

Automobile

CFAO Ghana motors

Agribusiness

Blue Skies

Electricals & Electironics

Tropical Cables and Conductor Ltd.

Food Sector

Pioneer Food Cannery

Brewery & Beverage

Accra Brewery

Financial Services

Stanbic Bank

Nallem Clothing

Hospitality & Tourism Center

Holiday Inn

Metals, Building & Construction

Wire Weaving Ghana Ltd.

Oil & Gas

Tullow Oil Ghana Ltd.

Pharmaceuticals

Dannex Pharmaceuticals Company

Printing & Stationary

Adwinsa Publishing

Rubber & Plastics sector

Polyplast

Toileteries

Sikaf Ghana Ltd.

Business Promotion & Consulting

Invest in Africa

Social Enterprise

Challenging Heights

Corporate Social Responsibility

Vodafone Ghana

Young Enterprise Company of the Year

SMS Ghana

Fastest Growing Company of the Year

B5 Plus

Best Company Employer

Jospong Group of Companies

Best Practices in Sustainable Manufacturing Award

Unilever Ghana Ltd.

Most Environmentally Compliant Award.

Cargill Ghana.

Overall Best Industrial Award

Pioneer Food Cannery

Source: citifmonline.com