The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), in collaboration with Compete Ghana, has launched a ground-breaking export training course aimed at equipping small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMES) with essential knowledge and skills required to export to the European Union (EU).
This initiative is EU-sponsored under the aegis of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), and will support an inaugural cohort of 40 SMEs as they embark on their export journey.
In his keynote address at the event, Samuel Dentu, deputy Chief Executive Officer-GEPA, noted that the collaboration between his outfit and Compete Ghana underscores a shared commitment to foster the growth and prosperity of domestic SMEs; and represents a significant step forward in helping them seize opportunities in international trade and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
“The course is to empower Ghanaian SMEs with the expertise and best practices necessary for successful exports to the EU market, and it promises to be an invaluable experience for participants – providing them with a deep understanding of the intricacies in exporting to the EU market while offering a unique platform for networking, knowledge-sharing; making it an engaging and informative experience for all,” he added.
He also indicated that in line with its mission, GEPA has formulated a comprehensive ten-year plan dubbed the National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) which is poised to elevate export revenue to a substantial US$25.3billion by the year 2029.
“This strategy is anchored on three fundamental pillars, with the third pillar emphasising the imperative of expanding exporters and all associated stakeholders’ capabilities. It is gratifying to note that we have already conducted successful export-school initiatives across various regions of the country,” he elaborated.
He noted that the training has been thoughtfully designed to provide SMEs with the knowledge, guidance and skills necessary to navigate the complex world of international trade, specifically targetting the lucrative but ever-changing European Union market. “The school runs various courses at the fundamental, intermediate and advanced levels for all categories of exporters”.
He was grateful to the EU for its generous support, as well as to all those who have contributed their efforts and expertise in bringing this programme to life.
Team Lead in charge of Trade and Microeconomics, EU delegation to Ghana, Timothy Dolan commented: “It is thrilling to see the 40 SMEs that have been selected under our EU-financed programme, Compete Ghana, for a thorough capacity building that will put them on the path to exporting….in particular to the EU markets. This activity illustrates spot-on how our vision of the bilateral economic, investment and trade relationships with Ghana should be fostered.
“With the entry into force of the landmark Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and Ghana in 2016, the country’s duty-free and quota-free access to EU markets was legally cemented. The Agreement ensures stability, predictability and legal certainty for economic operators trading between the EU and Ghana,” he noted.
He reiterated that the EPA places the country in an ideal situation to take advantage of opportunities in the EU market, as it presents enormous opportunities for local exporters to tap into the estimated €2trillion market.
“This is a huge opportunity, because the EU is Ghana’s second trade partner, exceeded only by China with a trade exchange value of around €4.2billion in 2021. Since the EPA entered into force, Ghana’s exports grew exponentially and almost doubled from €9.5billion to €17.6 billion in 2022,” he concluded.
