Bolgatanga, Oct. 19, GNA - The Ghana Export Promotion Council performance data for 2001 revealed that basket exports from the Upper East Region amounted to over 4.7 million dollars.

The Bolgatanga basket export industry thus constitutes one major sector that creates jobs and serves as an important source of livelihood for a large number of people in the region.

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industries, Private Sector Development and Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI), Mr. Affram Asiedu, said this on Wednesday when he launched the National Friday Wear campaign in Bolgatanga.

Mr Asiedu said the region has locally made products such as straw baskets and when properly patronized could generate a substantial inflow of foreign exchange for the country and also provide employment for the people of the area.

He expressed dismay about similar basket products being produced and exported by the Far East countries and introduced on the German market in the name of Ghanaian products.

Mr Asiedu said those products were substandard as compared to basket products in Ghana and announced that his ministry would soon adopt the media and diplomatic campaigns against such unethical business practice.

Mr. Asiedu appealed to Ghanaians to patronize Made-in-Ghana goods in order to create a unique culture of national identity and pride. He said a strong programme of product promotion in Germany with the objective of re-affirming Bolgatanga basket as a unique product originating from Ghana would soon also be launched to create the awareness among consumers.

Also, the efforts would be made to explore the possibility of registration of some trademarks to identify the Ghanaian products from others.

The Upper East Region Minister, Mr. Boniface Gambila, said the region has rich fabrics and textiles if properly tapped could alleviate the poverty levels in the area.

He said the Regional Coordinating Council is supporting the establishment of crafts centres throughout the region.