AGI advocates trade policy restrictions for foreign shopping malls

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has advocated a trade policy that ensures that shopping malls established by foreign companies, sell a certain percentage of made-in-Ghana products to boost industry growth and development.

According to Mr Seth Twum Akwaboah, the Chief Executive Officer of the AGI, the association was not against the springing up of foreign shopping malls, which had created a competitive business market in the country.

However, he told the media in Sunyani that a certain share space ought to be earmarked for the foreign companies to sell local products.

Mr Akwaboah's advocacy followed concerns raised by some traders in the Sunyani Central Business (CBD) enclave about the springing up of shopping malls, slowing

down their economic activities.

According to some of the women traders, the influx of modern shopping malls in the Sunyani Municipality, especially Chinese malls in particular, had placed economic pressure on them and small-scale retailers because those malls attracted lower prices.

"If they have come to set up big and beautiful infrastructure for people to go and buy there, it isn't a problem and that is fine. However, emphasis must be placed on what they sell there", Mr Akwaboah stated.


Mr Akwaboah also touched on the expectation of the AGI on the 2027 Budget Statement, saying that the association was hopeful the budget would place emphasis on industrial development.

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance is expected to present the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on Thursday November 12, 2026.

Mr Akwaboah said the AGI remained committed to bring its knowledge and expertise to support the implementation of the 24-hour economy, 'Big Push' Road infrastructure development and other laudable socio-economic policies of the government for the nation to derive the optimum benefit.
Sompaonline.com/K Peprah