The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has commended the government for rescinding its decision to abolish the Benchmark Discount Value Policy for cargo importers.

The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson A. Asaki, who gave the commendation in an interview with the Ghanaian Times, after a forum for editors and senior reporters on port relations, said the reduction “was a win-win for importers and the Association of Ghana Industries.”

He lauded the government for giving ear to the concerns raised by the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana and abrogating its decision to scrap the Benchmark Discount Value Policy.

“The decision to maintain the Benchmark Discount Value Policy is good, I have spoken to other media houses that the Benchmark Discount Value Policy that government has slashed from 50 to 30 per cent and 30 to 10 per cent for goods and vehicles respectively, is good because half a loaf is better than none.  This is because previously the decision was to scrap it completely and now we said no and government listened to us,” Mr Asaki said.

The government announced in the 2022 budget statement and economic policy of government’s plan to abolish the discount on import value otherwise known as Benchmark Value Policy in which it offered 50 per cent discount on the value of  goods imported into the country and 30 per cent for vehicles.

But after consultations with stakeholders, the government has offered to provide 30 per cent discount on goods and 10 per cent for vehicles instead of cancelling the policy entirely.

Mr Asaki said the discount government offered for vehicles was woefully inadequate, and suggested it should be increased to 15 or 20 per cent.

Turning his focus on the forum, the Executive Secretary said it was to educate editors and senior reporters on the operations at the Ports to enable them report accurately.

He said the ports were security zones and there were rules and procedures importers and exporters had to go through.

“That is the reason why the stakeholders at the ports such as GH Link, ICUMS, MPS and GHPA were invited to brief the media about the operations at the ports,” Mr Asaki said.

The Director General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Luguje, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the Ghana Exporters and Importers Association for the programme.

He said the shipping industry is a vast, technical and dynamic area and journalists must have clear understanding to be able to report accurately about the sector.

Mr Joseph Adu Kyei, Deputy Commissioner of Customs in charge of Operations said the objective of the ports was to facilitate trade and not burden importers with unnecessary challenges.

He said there were a lot of rules and procedures at the ports that the agents of importers had to go through including import licence, bill of laden, packing list to help to clear their goods, adding that fees and charges at the port were sanctioned by law.

 Mr Kyei commended the Ghana Importers and Exporters Association for the programme to explain the port operations to stakeholders.

The President of Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA), Dr Joseph Obeng, for his part commended the government for maintaining the Benchmark Policy.

He also lauded the government for offering discounts to importers who brought in more containers and entreated importers to take advantage of the discount provided by the government.

Government is offering five per discount for importers who brought in five containers of cargo, 10 per cent for 20-40 containers, and 12 per cent discount for 40 containers and above.