Traque Ghana

The successful Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) implemented by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) and funded by the European Union (EU) has ended amid pomp and pageantry at commemoration event in Accra.

Since its inception in 2011, the TRAQUE Programme has undertaken various interventions in strengthening the trade and quality sector in Ghana. With a mandate of supporting the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) in private sector development, trade facilitation and capacity building; the success of the Programme has seen it veer into provision of support for safety and quality institutions as well.

European Union in Ghana

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The Association of Ghanaian Industries has launched the first ever ECOWAS Quality Awards in Accra. This maiden award for Quality Institutions will come after the annual National Quality Awards for Ghanaian firms.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyeremanteng; the Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Barwanoba Baeka underscored the importance of ensuring quality in industrialization in order to compete globally. He also said, \"Government is ready to partner with industries to improve the quality of locally manufactured industries."

European Union in Ghana

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The Charge’ d’ Affaires of the European Union in Ghana, Mr. Paolo Salvia has reiterated the commitment of the European Union (EU) to continue its support to Ghana in private sector competitiveness, trade facilitation and fiscal transition.

He said this will be done through the regional envelope of the 11th European Development Fund. Mr. Salvia made this remark at the final Steering Committee Meeting of the Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) in Accra.

European Union in Ghana

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A delegation from the European Commission in Brussels engaged the Ministry of Trade and Industry and a section of the private sector in a Stakeholders Sensitization Meeting on the Ghana-EU Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) in Accra yesterday.

The team was led by Trade Affairs Manager of the EPA in Africa, Carribean and Pacific Territories; Thierry Beranger. He commended the interactions at the meeting and said it is the starting point of the domestic process to make sure the private sector benefits from the EPA

The Foreign Relations Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Anthony Nyame-Baafi reiterated the benefits Ghana stand to gain from the iEPA by attracting foreign investors and as a low-cost export base for the EU market.

European Union in Ghana

Over fifty (50) exporters in Takoradi have benefitted from a-day training on the European Union (EU) Rules of Origin.

This workshop was to upgrade the exporting and business community in the Western Region on the new regulations o Rules of Origin after Ghana ratified the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) last year.

European Union in Ghana

More: http://www.traqueghana.org/index.php/news/313-exporters-in-takoradi-trained-on-new-eu-rules-of-origin

The Director of Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Anthony Nyame-Baafi has disclosed that the interest of the private sector will be at the forefront in negotiations of the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (CFTA).

Mr. Nyame-Baafi made these remarks at a 3-day Capacity Building retreat for members of the Inter-Institutional Committee (IIC) on the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement in Koforidua.

This Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) funded workshop is to apprise members of the Committee on the on-going negotiations on CFTA, the ratification of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA) between Ghana and the European Union.

European Union in Ghana

More: http://www.traqueghana.org/index.php/news/312-private-sector-will-be-the-main-focus-of-the-cfta-nyame-baafi

The Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture have introduced a new Standard Operational Procedures for export inspection and phyto sanitary certification of vegetables, fruits and plants.

In a workshop funded by the Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) with exporters in Accra, the Directorate outlined these new procedures as part of reforms being rolled out to help Ghana come out of the ban on some vegetable exports imposed by the European Union.

European Union in Ghana

More: http://www.traqueghana.org/index.php/news/311-pprsd-introduces-new-standard-operational-procedures-for-exporters

The Programme Director of the TRAQUE Programme, Mr. Michael Senayah represented the Ministry of Trade and Industry at the ACP-EU Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) knowledge dissemination workshop held recently in Nairobi, Kenya.

This workshop brought together over 60 participants from Quality Institutions and Economic Operators across the world to increase impact and effectiveness of donor funded programmes and projects in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries in the area of trade promotion and specifically in overcoming technical barriers to trade.

Don Michael Senayah

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Kumasi was the latest stop for the Trade Days Workshop organised by the EU funded TRAQUE Programme. Exporters and businesses in Kumasi improved their knowledge on ways to access the EU market.

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), the mutually beneficial trade agreement between Ghana and the European Union was also discussed at this workshop.

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The Director of Foreign Relations at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Anthony Nyame Baafi has said the implementation of the Common External Tariff will significantly reduce smuggling of goods across national borders.

Mr. Nyame Baafi said this at a workshop on “Exporting to the ECOWAS and EU Markets” funded by Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) in Tamale.

One other key trade policy discussed at this workshop was the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). With Ghana signing an interim EPA agreement with the European Union last year, the participants were educated on what this trade agreement means for Ghana and how they can take advantage of its numerous benefits for their businesses.

European Union in Ghana

More: http://www.traqueghana.org/index.php/news/309-common-external-tarffif-key-to-reduction-in-smuggled-goods-nyame-baafi

Over the past five years, commercial mango production has increased in the northern part of Ghana. Currently there are over 250 mango farms which cover 5,000 acres in the Northern Region yet yields are very low and none of these farmers are able to export their produce after harvesting.

This is can be attributed to the huge gap in knowledge on current farming trends and lack of resources. Therefore the European Union funded Trade Related Assistance and Quality Enabling Programme (TRAQUE) has embarked on an extensive good agricultural practices training for mango farmers in Salaga, Tamale, Yendi, Walewale, Bimbilla, Navrongo and Damango in the Northern and Upper East Regions.

More: http://www.traqueghana.org/index.php/news/307-traque-extends-support-to-mango-farmers-in-northern-ghana

European Union in Ghana