Accra, Feb.5, GNA - As part of the Government's efforts to promote efficiency at the ports and to reduce the cost of doing business, taxpayers in good standing would be allowed to clear goods with a single Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) within a single calendar year. Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, announced this when he presented the 2004 Budget Statement to Parliament.

He, however, stated that the list of eligible beneficiaries would be reviewed and expanded to enable many companies to benefit from the measure.

The reviewed list would also be gazetted by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to ensure transparency in implementation. Mr Osafo-Maafo stressed that the need for the Government to reap benefits from the significant investments made in entities such as the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, National Communications Authority, Ghana Cocoa Board, the Minerals Commission, Lands Commission and Geological Survey Department.

"It is imperative and only fair that the nation derives appropriate returns from these investments. Consequently, the Non-Tax Revenue Unit of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning would be further strengthened to effectively monitor the performance of such Government investments to ensure that competitive returns accrue to Government," he said.