An expert in global trade development and facilitation from Switzerland, Tom Butterly has called on policymakers in Ghana to pay keen attention to trade facilitation to enhance administrative efficiency and attract investments.

He said trade facilitation could reduce costs and time of transacting business across borders and increase predictability.

Mr Butterly, who made this known recently at a trade facilitation workshop in Accra, said trade facilitation has become a key policy issue for governments and businesses, adding that it reduces delays at the border and makes public agencies dealing with trade efficient.

“In terms of focus, it's about simplifying and harmonizing formalities, procedures and the related exchange of information and documents between the various partners in the supply chain.

“A more efficient and transparent delivery of public services will allow the administration to maintain high security levels and effective government control, while diminishing opportunities for corruption,” he said.

Mr Butterly said traders will gain as a result of higher predictability, speed of operations and lower transaction costs, stating “For countries, including Ghana as a whole, reducing unnecessary delays and costs attracts investments and supports growth and job creation.”

Trade facilitation workshop
The Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide (TFIG) training workshop was organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), in collaboration with the GRA

It was also sponsored by West Blue Consulting under the Ghana National Single Window (GNSW) project.

The workshop was organized for senior level managers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Ghana Union of Traders' Association (GUTA), West Blue Consulting and National Security in Accra.

The participants were trained on how to use the UN Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide for Trade Facilitation (TF) to stimulate the sharing of best practices and discussion of opportunities for inter-agency cooperation in the TF.

By Cephas Larbi [email protected]