GEPC launches new programme to track services exports

The Ghana Export Promotion Council has launched a programme to track the export of professionals and services from the country.

The programme dubbed the National Export Strategy and Trade Services is aimed at formalising the export of services and professionals to realise the needed revenue for the country and export statistics.

With the implementation of the programme Ghana will join countries such as India, the Philippines, Madagascar and Japan who have earn billion of dollars annually from the export of services.

Speaking to Joy Business the executive secretary of the GEPC, Edward Collins, said the programme will generate enormous revenue for the country.

He said although the programme is aimed mainly at professional immigrants, it will also track other locals who provide services for companies abroad while at home.

“People are doing architectural drawings on their computers and selling it into the UK, into the USA market. What we've not succeeded in doing is to capture these in our export statistics; and we as a nation have to develop it. Others have done it,” he said.

Meanwhile non-traditional exports for 2007 stood at $1.65 billion representing a 30.5 percent growth over the 2006. Non-traditional exports contribute 27 percent to Ghana's total export earnings.