(a) State five functions of an Export Promotion Council.
(b) Outline five roles performed by the Customs and Excise Authority towards the growth of commerce
Explanation
(a) Functions of an Export Promotion Council:
i.Trade enhancement activities: It reviews and liberalizes export procedures and documentation to enhance clearance at the ports.
ii. Export financing and incentives: It assists in financing export by deigning steps that will result in export financing facilities, investment, etc.
iii. Organization of training activities: It organizes training programs, seminars, and Workshops in export management and international marketing.
iv. Preparation of export documents: It cooperates with other government agencies to assist in the preparation of export documents.
v. Trade information services: It establishes and operates international trade information centres to provide prompt information services.
vi. Creation of awareness: It produces publicity materials to publicize the export potentials of the country and by so doing create awareness for them and the Council's activities.
v. Setting out procedures for export trade: It approves export, provides export licence and sets out procedures for exporting goods abroad.
vi. Export development activities: It adopts measures necessary to increase the volume of production from agriculture and industry for export.
vii. Giving advice: lt gives advice on quality control, packaging and product design to e ensure an acceptable standard of exportable goods.
(b) Roles performed by the Customs and Excise Authority towards the growth of commerce:
i. Assisting in generating income for the government through import and export taxes and excise duties on goods and services.
ii. Enforcing government regulations on imports and exports by making sure that the quantities of goods imported and exported are within the limit indicated on the licences issued for that purpose.
iii. Helping to check and prevent smuggling.
iv. Assisting in supervising the bonded warehouse where goods on which appropriate duties have not been paid are kept.
v. performing health functions by not allowing infected plants and animals Into the country/ provision of quarantine services.
vi. Assisting in collecting data for the compilation of a country's international trade statistics which helps to give the true picture of the country's balance of trade and balance of payments.
vii. Working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies of the country to create good commercial activities.