The 8th Biennial African Shippers Day celebrations has been held here in Accra.

Speaking during the conference, CEO of the Ghana Shippers Authority, Benonita Bismarck mentioned, among other things, that the concept of the Shippers Day adopted by the Union of African Shippers' Councils(UASC) is primarily to celebrate the efforts and achievements of importers and exporters in propelling trade and development in the sub-region.

Similarly, the conference can be seen as a platform for interaction among primary players in the international trade and transport chain including exporters and importers, ship owners, port authorities, freight forwarders and other ancillary services.

She called for a concerted effort and collaboration with well-thought strategy in dealing with the challenges facing shippers in Africa. Some include the multiplicity of agencies in the cargo clearance process, ineffective risk management systems and so on.

She was however optimistic that the coming into force of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement will continue to bring to the fore the obligations on the part of governments in creating a congenial environment for businesses to thrive.

On his part, the Minister for Trade, Alan Kyeremanteng reiterated that government is implementing the Ten-Point plan for industrial transformation with a key pillar being the One-District One-Factory programme (ID1F).

The policy, according to the Minister, is aimed at setting up at least one medium to large manufacturing firm in each of the 216 districts in Ghana. This will have an Export Development Programme which seeks to take advantage of AGOA and the Economic Partnership Agreement.

The conference was held under the theme" Trade facilitation and its impact on Africa's Industrialization."