Compete Ghana Programme holds orientation workshop to encourage enterprises to export to EU markets

The Ministry of Trade and Industry, through the Compete Ghana Programme, has organized a workshop on the Enterprise Export Enhancement Programme (EEEP) with the aim of promoting exports to the European Union (EU) markets.

This initiative is part of the technical assistance provided under the Ghana-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.

Recognizing the importance of enhancing Ghana's export competitiveness and expanding production for exports, the Technical Assistance Team of the Compete Ghana Programme has developed and commenced the implementation of the EEEP specifically for the EU market.

During a workshop held in Accra, Mr Nicolas Gebara, Team Leader of the Technical Assistance Team, emphasized that the EEEP is a comprehensive program that provides training and personalized support to selected private export enterprises, with a primary focus on non-traditional product exporters.

“The orientation workshop in Accra brought together seventy enterprises, where participants were first made aware of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the opportunities it presents for Ghanaian businesses,” Mr Gebara added.

Highlighting the importance of the Compete Ghana Programme, Mr Gebara stated, “As the key implementer of the EPA, the Ministry of Trade and Industry is committed to monitoring its implementation and supporting the expansion and diversification of Ghanaian exports to EU markets.” He further emphasized the need to tap into Ghana's significant export potential to ensure long-term benefits from the agreement.

Expressing gratitude to the participants, Mr Gebara encouraged them to seize the opportunities created by the EPA. He stressed that the success of the program would be measured by an increase in the presence of value-added “Made in Ghana” products in the EU market.

Mr Gerald Nyarko-Mensah, a Key Expert of the Technical Assistance Team, highlighted one of the main objectives of the program, which is to enhance firm-level competitiveness, particularly through a cluster approach. The participants were educated on the purpose and key features of the EEEP, including the eligibility criteria for enterprises to apply and be shortlisted, as well as the process of completing application forms.

“To ensure a fair selection process for all prospective beneficiary enterprises, an online application system has been set up as the initial step towards the final selection,” Mr Nyarko-Mensah emphasized.

He further explained that the EEEP aims to select up to 40 enterprises for individual support, with a preference for those dealing with products from the top priority non-traditional export list.

The candidate companies will be identified and recommended by implementation partners such as the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Enterprise Agency, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Association of Ghana Industries, and the Federation of Association of Ghana Exporters.