A three-day workshop aimed at developing non-traditional exports and sustaining their production and market through competitive business practices opened in Accra has just ended in Accra. It was organized jointly by the government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the theme `Promotion of Ghana's non-traditional exports through human resource development assistance'. The workshop was attended by members of business association in the country.

Opening it, Mr Dan Abodakpi, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry said the government was committed to creating the appropriate enabling environment that fosters private initiative investment and production.

He said the government through policy and regulatory changes was removing the `cobwebs' of disincentives and constraints that prevented business from realising their vision and potential. Mr Abodakpi said business associations provide a crutial bridge between the business community and public sector agencies. He said it would be practically impossible for government officials to respond to requests from individuals or firms on a `one-by-one basis.

"When association help to consolidate and screen generic issues, this should enable public agencies to concentrate on matters that need resolving rather than devote attention to answering individual requests on an ad-hoc basis".

The Deputy Minister said the country was gradually moving in the direction where economic activity was fully governed by laws and regulations which were transparent. Mr Abodakpi urged the business community to help strengthen the laws and regulations by actively participating in their drafting, publicity and enforcement. Mr Abodakpi advised business associations to avoid the temptation of turning purely business disputes into confrontations between the government and the private sector.