GRi Business, Economics & Finance 14 – 01 - 2003

Business operators call for conducive legal framework

Guinness gain pushes index

Inter-bank exchange rates

 

 

Business operators call for conducive legal framework

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003- Business operators have asked Government for a legal framework that would ensure smooth and orderly operation of businesses as well as ginger the private sector to assume greater responsibilities.

 

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Business Desk, Dr Osei Boeh-Ocansey, Director-General Private Enterprise Foundation (PEF), said such a framework should set out, among other things, regulations to protect the integrity of old and new businesses while defining the relationships that should exist among the various companies.

 

"It should also adequately cater for bankruptcies and liquidations and ensure protection of property rights," he added. Dr Boeh-Ocansey said the framework must promote peaceful coexistence between the companies and the communities in which they operate.

 

He said this was necessary as the country was embarking on serious development programmes, in which the private sector was expected to play a leading role.

 

Touching on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Dr Boeh-Ocansey said to derive maximum benefits under the Act it was imperative to first strengthen the weak supply linkages in the nation's production chain.

 

This, he said, would involve putting in place appropriate organisational arrangements and structures to ensure that the required transformation was made. "As such, it will be in order to use part of the developmental portion of the Export Development and Investment Fund for the transformation process."

 

Dr Boeh-Ocansey said no efforts should be spared in making ECOWAS objectives a reality since the sub-regional market could serve as a launching pad for the country's non-traditional exports.

 

Dr Boeh-Ocansey said he was optimistic that lasting socio-political stability in the sub-region would open up market access. He expressed regret that the private sector has so far achieved limited success in trying to establish business relationships.

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Guinness gain pushes index

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003- Interest in Guinness Ghana Limited shares on the Ghana Stock Exchange on Monday helped push the benchmark GSE All-Share Index up by 3.19 points in a dull market.

 

The Index, which has been making steady strides in recent trading sessions, rose to close at 1,414.22 points from 1,411.03 points. A total of 157,500 shares changed hands compared to the paltry 24,600 shares on Friday. GGL sold the highest number of shares of 152,000 shares. Change for the year was up at 1.35 per cent.

 

On the broader market, there were two positive price changes. GGL gained 50 cedis at 1,100 cedis and Ghana Commercial Bank was up four cedis to close at 3,606 cedis. Market capitalisation was up at 6,345.70 billion cedis from 6,339.16 billion cedis at the previous close.

 

The following are the last prices of listed equities in cedis:

ABL                        390

AGC                  28,000

ALW                   3,700

BAT                     1,001

CFAO                      67

EIC                     4,600

FML                    1,800

GBL                        500

GCB                    3,606                       +4

GGL                    1,100                       +50

HFC                    1,000

MGL                       254

MLC                       272

MOGL               19,730

PAF                        750

PBC                        390

PZ                        2,010

SCB                   28,700

SPPC                      387

SSB                     4,101

SWL                       285

TBL                     4,850

UNIL                   4,808

CMLT                    460

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Inter-bank exchange rates

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 January 2003-

 

Currency                        Buying                                    Selling

U.S. Dollar                     8,298.00 cedis                         8,490.09 cedis

Pound Sterling              13,328.25                                13,641.03

Swiss Franc                    5,999.66                                  6,136.31

Canadian Dollar              5,376.46                                  5,499.53

Danish Kroner                1,179.41                                  1,206.37

Japanese Yen                      69.64                                       71.23

South African Rand           983.16                                     999.88

Euro                               8,763.97                                  8,962.57

CFA Franc                          13.36                                       13.66

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