Fidelity Bank has presented a cheque for GH¢12, 000, to support the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) to organize the 24th National Awards for Export Achievement, slated for Friday October 17, at the State House.

The Awards Scheme was introduced by government in 1989, as part of an overall national plan, to boost exports from the Non-Traditional Export (NTE) sector, that is, cushion earnings from primary and unprocessed traditional export products, and bridge the country’s trade balance deficit gap.

It also aimed to formally recognize the contributions of exporters in the NTE sector, towards the economic prosperity of Ghana; to commend exporters for exporting quality products and for breaking new grounds.

Presenting the cheque, Mr Alex Dodoo, Executive Director Wholesale Banking, said there was the need to change the structure of the economy from the high dependence on imports, to save the country’s scarce foreign exchange resources.

He said the rationale for the support for the awards is to encourage exporters to do more to ensure that exports override imports in the near future.

Mr Dodoo said Fidelity Bank has been offering support to a wide range of exporters across the full value chain, taking into account exporters’ capacity to deliver.

He said the bank in collaboration with GEPA had organized roadshows to educate exporters in the Greater-Accra, Northern and Western Regions.

Mr Dodoo said the bank was also building a databse of exporters to facilitate easy assistance and support.

Receiving the cheque, Mr Stephen Normeshie, General Manager GEPA, lauded the contribution of Fidelity Bank to the activities of the Authority over the years, and said the bank has gone on various roadshows with GEPA to educate exporters.

He expressed the hope that the relationship would be further strengthened to enhance the contribution of exports to national development.

Meanwhile, Fidelity Bank has pledged to support the Woman Exporter of the Year Award.

Since the inception of the awards, more than 1,000 companies and export facilitating institutions have received recognition.