The Chief Executive of the Ghana Association of Industries (AGI), Seth Twum Akwaboah, has called for a reduction in duties paid on raw materials used in printing and packaging in the manufacturing sector.

According to him, this is necessary to cushion local producers and contribute to exports and development.

Speaking to Joy Business at the the maiden edition of the Propak Ghana 2023 exhibition, Mr. Akwaboah said the current policy is not help manufacturers.

“When you import raw materials to print, you pay duty on it but when you import the finished product, you do not pay duty on it and it makes the local printing more expensive than importation. So we think that this policy is not helping local producers and if we want to create jobs and grow the economy and reduce our dependency on imports and protect the local currency, these are some of the things we have to look at,” he said.

Regional Director of Afrocet Montgomery, George Pearson also indicated his outfit’s preparedness to offer Ghana’s manufacturing sector a platform to become more competitive in the global space of trade.

He added that the exhibition provides an opportunity for businesses to ensure value addition and boost exports.

The three day exhibition gives businesses from various sectors the opportunity to market their products and services.

The Propak Ghana 2023 exhibition provides exclusive market insights, technology trends and crucial advice on taking businesses in the packaging, printing, food processing and plastics value chain to a greater level.

The exhibition is expected to attract over 2,500 visitors and more than 100 brands, both local and international at the end of the three days.