The key access to the European market is by getting the quality and standard of products right, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Ghana, His Excellency Hanna William, has said.
Speaking at a workshop on how to export to the EU market, he pointed out that the EU is the largest single market in the world; therefore, trade enabling rules have been set to create a safe trading environment for exporters.
With over 500 million consumers, he noted, the EU market provides several opportunities for exporters, especially in the private sector.
Mr Hanna opined that consumers in Europe are interested in purchasing Ghanaian produce, but only when producers get the right quality.
“The market exists, the right opportunities are there, but you need to have the right product at the right quality”, he reiterated.
Mr Hanna further highlighted that the Trade Assistance and Quality Enabling (TRAQUE) programme has been initiated to give assistance to Ghanaian producers to meet the standards of the EU market.
He emphasised that understanding the EU requirements for exports will not only inform local producers how to get into the EU market, but also open doors for them in all international markets.
“Having a solid understanding of EU requirements will as well put you in a position to make sound business decisions on how to approach an EU export.
“Moreover, mastering the key EU export conditions will open doors to export to any international market”, he reiterated.
The EU ambassador revealed that the ban on the five vegetables not meeting the right EU market standards have not been lifted as speculated, but rather efforts are in progress to make them meet the right standards.
“We are working with stakeholders to help them improve the quality of these vegetables to ensure they meet the safety standards.
“An audit will be carried out in a few months. It is only if the audit is positive that the ban may be lifted”, he averred.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI), Mr Dawarnoba Baeka, for his part, pointed out that the three workshops have been organised through the TRAQUE programme to help Ghanaian traders take cognisance of the EU market trade requirements to help them access it.
Subsequent workshops will take place in Takoradi and Kumasi on June 16 and 23, 2016.
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