Takoradi, Sept. 21, GNA - Government's new trade policy is to enhance and create a conducive environment for private sector growth, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI said in Takoradi. He pledged the commitment of the ministry to develop a vibrant, technology driven industrial sector to assist employment creation for rural communities and vulnerable groups.

Mr Agyeman-Manu was addressing a forum on inputs from stakeholders for the 2008 budget.

The forum was also to deepen dialogue between stakeholders involved in major government decisions and find solutions to challenges that inhibit effective performance of trade and industry. Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning in an address read on his behalf said preparations for the 2008 budget had begun and would be submitted to Parliament by November. He said the budget would focus on energy, roads, water and the housing sector through financial discipline. Mr Baah-Wiredu, said macro economic performance over the last six years had improved and appealed to Ghanaians to honour their tax obligations to enable government generate more funds for infrastructural development.

Other issues to be considered in the budget are import duties on inputs for the manufacturing sector, vegetable oil processing, administration of import tariff and Value Added Tax (VAT).