Ghana government says it has offered a two-year tax holiday to Japanese investors in agro-processing and other sectors of the economy, the Minister of Trade and Industry Haruna Iddrisu has revealed.

The tax holidays, set to begin this year, will boost investor confidence, according to the sector minister.

Mr Iddrisu, made this disclosure when a 35-member investment delegation from Japan called on him yesterday.

The delegation promised to invest in the production of Shea butter as well as in the oil and gas, manufacturing, media and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors. Discussions focused on deepening bilateral ties between Ghana and Japan.

Mr Iddrisu indicated Ghana’s desire to increase its export of non-traditional exports sector.

“We are doing our part in Ghana to improve phyto-sanitary conditions so that Ghana can increase exports to Japan. So we are ready to comply with your minimum standards…so that we can increase the export of non-traditional vegetables and flowers,” he assured.

He said the government’s commitment to ensure tax holidays for investors as “strategic incentives”, meant to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country.

“The Japanese too have a strong manufacturing background and we are encouraging them to come in and they have expressed interest in rubber plantation and setting it up in the Western Region and then agro-business if we can facilitate the cost of land”, Mr Iddrisu said.

Ghana’s President John Mahama visited Japan early this year to seek Japanese investment.
Japan is one of Ghana’s main development aid partners.

Earlier this year, Ghana was one of a number of African countries which had been selected by the Japanese Government to benefit from a $32 billion package to support infrastructure development, economic growth and human development in Africa over the next five years.

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