The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a directive for all textiles imported into the country to enter through the Tema Port.
The move forms part of efforts to deal with the influx of pirated textiles on the Ghanaian market.
Players in the textile industry have for years lamented the impact of smuggled textiles on their operations which they say has rendered them noncompetitive.
The textile sector in the 1980s and early 1990s employed above 30,000 workers but currently employs less than 1,500.
This unfortunate incidence has partly been occasioned by the influx of pirated goods which has adversely affected the industry.
Speaking to the media after a meeting to address players in the textile industry, Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyrematen said imported textiles will only be allowed into Ghana through the Tema Port.
“As part of our six key policy agenda we will ensure that all textiles that enter the country only do so through the Tema Port, this way we can make sure they all have the tax stamps fixed on them and also make sure that the right duties on them are paid”.
The Minister also disclosed that the move forms part of a six point policy agenda to revamp the industry.
The other policies include; the introduction of a tax stamp for locally manufactured and genuinely imported textiles which will take effect on the 15th of November this year.
Also, the revision of the task force operation is to enable access to markets to check the affixing of tax stamps as a means to pirated textile designs and collaboration with local textile manufacturers to ensure low cost of production and competitive pricing.
The minister further explained that the introduction of the tax stamp on textiles is critical to give buyers the confidence and assurance that they are buying genuine fabric and insisted that the policy will take effect on the 15th of November.
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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana