Germany has a long tradition as one of Ghana's most important trading partners. Unfortunately, however, recent figures show a stagnation or even a decline in bilateral trade, mainly caused by a significant drop of Ghanaian exports into Germany.

Firmly convinced that Ghanaian-German trade relations hold much more potential for growth, I am glad to co-introduce this business guide for the European Union in general and Germany in particular to you, which will be helpful in closing information gaps and hopefully make life for exporters and importers in Ghanaian-EU-Business transactions easier. I would like to thank the Ghanaian-German Economic Association and the “Promotion of the Private Sector” Project of the German Association of Technical Cooperation (GTZ) for their timely and appropriate initiative to produce this business guide with a view to promoting Ghanaian-European-German trade.

As customs legislation in the European Union is harmonised, exporters towards Germany are confronted mostly with EU-wide valid regulations. Ghana as a member of the African Caribbean Pacific Group of States (ACP) enjoys tariff reductions significantly under the standard duty rates. Under the Cotonou Agreement signed in 2000 these regulations are currently being re-negotiated within the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) between ECOWAS and the EU. I should like to use this opportunity to call for an intensive cooperation of all Ghanaian stakeholders in the negotiation process, because the EPA will set the framework for future Ghanaian-European trade relations from 2008 onwards.

In general, this business guide provides a good overview of Germany as a trade destination, the development of Ghanaian-German trade, information on special requirements for imports into and exports from Germany and most importantly, a lot of practical advice. It also contains a comprehensive part on investment in Germany, how to set up a business there and possibilities for contacting potential business partners.

As the GGEA stated in its foreword, this business guide is not intended to be an all- comprehensive compendium for all questions that might occur with regard to Ghanaian-German business. For further and more detailed information, however, there are two competent partners in Ghana: the GGEA itself and the economic section of the German Embassy.
I think this guide is an excellent point of reference that will make business relations between the EU and Ghana, and especially between Germany and Ghana more intensive and successful. I wish all prospective partners the best of success in their endeavours to realise business with Germany and Europe.