[ 2016-08-17 ]

EPA roll out: Ghana trains GRA staff on ‘Rules of Origin’
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has commenced a
nationwide training of staff of the Customs
Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to
enable them undertake their mandate in ensuring
compliance with Rules of Origin under the Economic
Partnership Agreement (EPA).

This follows the ratification of the interim EPA
between Ghana and the European Union (EU).

The lack of appreciation for the value of rules of
origin in international trade, has been cited as
one of the challenges affecting Ghanaian
exporters.

According to a Rules of Origin Expert, Martin
Wilde, the development often compels such
exporters to pay more for tariffs on their
exports.

Martin Wilde tells Citi Business News the
implementation of the rules of origin will protect
Ghanaian exporters from some avoidable charges
that they bear in their line of business.

“Rules of origin gives an economic nationality
to a product and if for example cocoa that is
produced in Ghana, that is only obtained from
Ghana. Preferential rules of origin, the EPA which
is a free trade agreement, it allows exporters to
export without any duty to the European Union,”
he stated.

Mr. Wilde also believes there is the need to equip
the country’s revenue collection agencies to be
able to meet internationally accepted standards
for exports.

“So it is a case of raising awareness and
putting policies and regulations in place to
ensure that both customs and traders apply the
rules correctly.”

The EPA will provide duty free and quota free
access to the EU market for an unlimited period
for all imports originating from Ghana.

In return Ghana will gradually liberalize 75
percent of imports from the EU over 20 years.

Ghana finally ratified the Interim Agreement on
August 2, 2016 after nine years of signing onto
the agreement in 2007.

Meanwhile efforts are being made to get other
African economies to sign onto same to enhance
duty and quota free access to the EU markets and
vice versa.

Source - citibsinessnews.com

... go Back