A revised set of guidelines to speed up the time it takes for goods to be cleared at the ports is being finalized by the Trade Ministry. It is also expected that the guidelines would improve the efficiency of the Destination Inspection Companies. The revised guidelines would for instance see BIVAC International, one of the major DICs expand its facilities at the Kotoka International Airport, update its electronic software and undertake capacity building training for its frontline staff. An aspect of the guidelines also places some added responsibility on importers and freight forwarders as well. The Acting Director of Trade Facilitation at the Trade Ministry, Ntim Donkor said BIVAC had already secured land for the expansion purposes. He said freight forwarders must present genuine documents to minimise the need for verification which takes a lot of time to do. The Ministry is undertaking these actions following numerous complaints by freight forwarders at the KIA about the tardiness of BIVAC and what they say are ambiguities over the determination of custom values. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana has also made similar complaints in recent times. Source: Joy News/Ghana