Message From Finance Minister

WELCOME MESSAGE FROM THE FINANCE MINISTER

It is an honour for me, on behalf of the Ministry of Finance to congratulate the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary.

The New Patriotic Party, under the leadership of the President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has promised to transform the Ghanaian Economy, by putting in place the right policy framework to support industry to expand and create jobs. A key part of the job creation agenda is to pursue an accelerated industrialization programme which will drive Ghana’s economic growth and development.

Ghanaian businesses however face many challenges that have resulted in the high cost of doing business and adversely impacted the competitiveness of firms. The government is working with all stakeholders including the AGI to implement effective policies to address these bottlenecks and create an enabling business environment where the private sector including SMEs will have the space to innovate and flourish.

The Ministry of Finance is taking significant steps in collaborating with other Government Agencies to implement business sector reforms in support of the industrialization agenda.

The 2017 Budget Statement which was presented under the theme, “Sowing the Seeds for Growth and Jobs” sets out the following initiatives in support of the private sector:

  • A commitment to restoring and maintaining macroeconomic stability. This is important for price stability, currency stability and reducing vulnerability to external shocks.
  • Removing “nuisance taxes”. Ensuring the right balance between domestic revenue mobilsations for development and designing an attractive tax regime that promotes both domestic and foreign investment.
  • Introducing tax credits and other incentives for businesses that hire young graduates.
  • Ensuring stable electricity supply while at the same time reducing the cost of electricity.
  • Streamlining Government processes and procedures to be private sector friendly.
  • Various initiatives to strengthen the financial services sector; to deepen the capital market, lower the cost of borrowing, improving access to long term financing and venture capital.
  • Introduction of innovative Government Programmes such as Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication and the “One District One Factory “and “One Village, One Dam”

As the Association celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Ministry would like to congratulate the AGI on achievement of this significant milestone and commend you for the constructive and continuous engagement with Government over the years.

This is the hallmark of a vibrant Business Association and we wish to assure you of our eagerness to continue and deepen this engagement with your Association and other stakeholders to pave the way for Ghana to become an industrialised nation in the near future.

God bless AGI and our Country.

 

PLAN FOR ACCRA

Accra Region of the Association constitutes the majority of AGI membership, which suggests that we contribute significantly in terms of advocacy and subscription and it is an honour and privilege for me to serve as a Chairman of such a powerful private sector constituency.

I believe the Accra members deserve a better service and as a Chairman with my great executive team, we are committed to serving the region to best of our ability to strengthen the privateering effort of the Association.

Our plan and focus include:

  • To build the capacity of Accra members and hone their skills to make them competitive through our major programme, the Entrepreneurial Knowledge Forum (EKF), designed to provide training for members on varied subjects according to their needs.
  • We will also move the Association service to the doorstep of members and that is why we have initiated the Familiarization Tour, or Industrial Visits. That is, undertaking frequent visits to members to connect with them and solicit their concerns to feed our advocacy objectives.
  • Our Town Hall Meeting concept is calculated to engage policy makers and members on diverse advocacy dialogue to ensure that the private sector issues are addressed.
  • The youth of today, especially young graduates are the future of the private sector drive. We will continue our Entrepreneurial Mentorship (Mentorpreneurship) Programme with the tertiary institutions so industry giants can share knowledge, experience and support with them.
  • Globalization is the key panacea for the growth of any private sector and our Visiting Embassies, Entrepreneurs and Networking Events seek to create a platform for foreign missions and members to interface on opportunities and projects.

Sincerely  

Hon. Ken Ofori Atta

Finance Minister

Republic of Ghana

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