Chinese delegation visit could be beneficial - Apraku

Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, Minister of Trade and Industry, on Monday said, “Ghana stood to benefit immensely from the visiting Chinese trade and business delegation if even 10 percent of them decide to invest in the country”. "If 10 percent of them are going to invest in the country, there will be an improvement in the general welfare of Ghanaians within a short period of time," he said. "China is far advanced in the industrial and technological sector, and we are talking of a market of about 1.3 billion; you can imagine the opportunities that exist," he said.

The 33 delegates from Shandong Province, Eastern China who arrived in Ghana on Sunday, are in the country to explore opportunities for trade and investment. The Shandong Province with a population of about 95 million, has great economic potentials with world known giant textile, electronic, food processing and chemical industries. Its annual total export is about $20bn.

Dr Apraku noted that Ghana is a country whose industrial potentials have not been fully explored; hence every area in the industry is yet to be tapped. "That is why we are more interested in a mutually satisfying relationship. He announced that tomorrow's Economic and Business forum for local and foreign investors at the Ghana International Trade Fair would address critical issues relating to investment opportunities.


Dr Apraku said, “It would give the delegation the opportunity to know which areas potentially exist for good investment”. Bo Liang, Leader of the delegation said, “ China was very much aware of Ghana's great attention to economic and trades relation with her sister countries”.

He expressed the hope that their visit would be meaningful and fruitful to strengthen cooperation between the two nations. He said Shandong Province over the years has set up economic and business relations with over 200 countries and is hoping to further widen and strengthen the relationship.