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Business News of Monday, 23 March 2020

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Traders urged to channel their goods through Ghana's Embassy in China

Edward Boateng, Ghana's Ambassador to China Edward Boateng, Ghana's Ambassador to China

Ghanaian businesses who trade from China and wish to import have been advised to partner the China Embassy to connect them to the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

According to Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Edward Boateng, liaising with embassies has so far been the most effective means for traders since the Coronavirus epidemic started.

“What we are trying to do is to mitigate the shortages in Ghana by acting as a conduit for some of our traders. We are working with some of the Chamber of Commerce in some of the various provinces. So, if people want to order, they don’t have to come to China,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Union Traders Association (GUTA) have expressed concern over their goods being stuck in China due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China which has compelled many of its traders to opt for other routes for import since the epidemic has erupted globally.

They have warned a possible inflation following the shortage of goods.

While China is recovering from the coronavirus trauma, Ghana’s Ambassador to China has insisted that it is still not safe for traders to travel to the Asian country.

“If you have your own supply chain in process already, you can contact the Embassy; we will work with the local chamber of commerce to ensure that they can pay on your behalf once you pay them the money and make sure that you get the quality of goods that you want,” he assured in an interview with Citi Business News.

The Diplomat, however, warned the process may take a while due to low production and manufacturing activity in China adding that several countries have resorted to channeling their goods through their various embassies.



“Many countries are also doing same; so, we must understand that if you order for goods it may take some time” he averred.

Ghana and China have had a long-lasting bilateral relation, socially and economically, where both countries have partnered on several occasions for the benefit of the other.

As at 2018, trade between Ghana and China stood at US$7.3 billion, making Ghana the 7th largest trading partner of China in Africa that year.