Gov't Initiatives Lauded By AGI

THE ASSOCIATION of Ghana Industries (AGI) says numerous policies and initiatives such as single window clearance at the ports, stimulus packages for distressed companies and the 'One District One Factory (1D1F)' programme will help facilitate the growth of industry in the country to deliver the government's industrialization agenda.

Regional Chairperson of AGI Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Region, Afua Gyamfua Owusu-Akyaw, stated that AGI was collaborating with government at various levels for successful and practical implementation of the policy initiatives for the benefit of their current and prospective members.

She was addressing members of the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions at the 19^th Regional Annual General Meeting in Kumasi on Thursday, which was held under the theme: “Addressing the Challenges of Doing Business in Ghana.”

She said as the AGI appreciates efforts by government to overcome some of the challenges in the manufacturing sector, many of the association's members still have issues on the accessibility of the government's stimulus package and the 1D1F initiative.

According to her, AGI has been engaging with policymakers to pragmatically discuss and resolve issues that border on business growth, asserting that key concerns of AGI members included the high rate of taxes and levies, environmental protection tax, import duties on raw materials, among others.

Mrs. Owusu-Akyaw also mentioned billboard levies charged by the metropolitan municipal and district assemblies as well as electricity tariff which the AGI wants government to have a second look at particularly for the manufacturing industries.

For her, although government has abolished some nuisance taxes and reduced electricity tariff, the prevailing rate is still high and increases the cost of doing business.

An Assistant Commissioner of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Samuel Duodu, appealed to AGI to help its members to comply with their tax obligations.

He explained that no new tax had been introduced except policy decision to help mobilise the needed revenue for the nation, pointing out that the tax stamp was introduced to check smuggling of goods that tend to make products of local manufacturers uncompetitive.

He also touted government's tax incentives given to companies, which he indicated, included the opportunity given for companies to write off their losses, tax holiday and many others.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi