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Non-Traditional Exports Post Strong Growth

By Kofi Ahovi
Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) have shown strong performance over recent years, reaching US$1,023,181,491 representing 25.77% for the third quarter of 2008 compared to US$813,549,084 for the same period in 2007.

Agriculture contributed US$150,239,732 as against US$134,301,863 in 2007 and US$125,154,718 in 2006 for the period under review.

While manufacturing contributed US$870,301,832 in 2008, compared to US$675,775,630 in 2007 and US$477,245,697 a year before.

Though export for handicraft rose from US$2,881,814 in 2006 to US$3, 4714,591 in 2007, it fell to US$2,693,927 in 2008.

This was because major buyers of Ghanaian crafts in the United States of America (USA) turned to the Far-East, especially Indonesia, India and China for handicraft supplies with relatively good finishing and functionality.

NTEs exports increased from $460 million in 2001 to $1,164 million in 2007, showing a growth rate of over 150 per cent. On annual basis, the growth translates into a 20.7 per cent increase yearly.

According to a report from the Ghana Exports Promotion Council (GEPC), total national merchandise exports of Ghana had shown positive growth over the past three years.

They have grown from $2.74 billion in 2004 to $4.19 billion in 2007, representing a 53.08 per cent growth in 2007 over the 2004 figures.

Within the same period from 2004 to 2007, NTEs grew from $705 million to $1,164 million, showing a growth rate of 65.08 per cent.

However, the percentage contribution of NTEs to total exports rose from 26.14% in 2006 to 27.76% in 2007.

NTEs percentage contributions to total exports in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were about 25.74%, 28.09%, 26.14% and 27.76% respectively.

GEPC is the National Export Trade Support Institution, which facilitates the development and promotion of Ghana’s Non-Traditional Exports.

It was established with the mandate to develop and promote Ghanaian exports. Its focus has primarily been to diversify Ghana’s export base from the traditional export products of gold, cocoa beans, timber logs and lumber and electricity. Currently, there are over 300 different non-traditional export products categorized into agricultural, processed/semi processed and handicrafts.

GEPC is positioned in the national export system as a coordinating pivot for the various public and private sector trade agencies involved in trade development and facilitation.

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