The Ghana Free Zones Board (GFZB) is to set up a research department to undertake comprehensive studies of the operations of enterprises in the country to identify those that can venture into the free zones enterprises space.
The acting Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, who disclosed this, said the board would also work with the media to create awareness of and sensitise the public to the operations of the board.
Mr Baafi made the disclosure when he interacted with the staff of Katoen Natie Company, a free zones logistics company operating in Takoradi in the Western Region.
He said when more companies set up within the free zones enclave, they would create employment and generate revenue for the state.
Acquaintance
The meeting was part of a tour of the Western Region by the GFZB team to acquaint itself with the operations of companies under the free zones arrangement.
“We are going to bring a big change to the face of the GFZB, as against what pertained in the past. Things are going to be done differently this time around, positioning the board as a friend to go to whenever you wish to enhance your businesses,” Mr Baafi stressed.
President’s desire
He said it was President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s desire for more opportunities to be created for the citizenry, adding, “That is exactly what we at the GFZB have set out to do. We are coming up with plans to position the board well.”
He gave an assurance that his outfit would support businesses to survive and not collapse, but cautioned the investors to honour their obligations to the state.
A Senior Manager and Head of Estate and Enclave of the GFZB, Mr Kwame Nsiah Asante, said currently there were 200 companies operating under the free zones concept, with 18 of them based in the Western Region.
The Managing Director of Katoen Natie, Mr Melhem Al-Khaled, urged officials of the board to operate an effective communication system so that businesses would keep abreast of issues concerning free zones entities.
Prime Meridian
The GFZB team also visited Prime Meridian (GH) Ltd, another free zones enterprise operating in the Takoradi Port.
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