Eastern Expo 2003 opens at Koforidua

Koforidua, Oct. 31, GNA- A ten-day exhibition, dubbed "Eastern Expo 2003", opened in Koforidua on Thursday with the theme: "Positioning the Trade, Investment and Tourism potential of the Eastern Region in the Golden age of Business".

The fair, which was organised by the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council and its partners, attracted over 50 exhibitors from 13 districts in the region.

There would also be lectures to prospective investors and business people on trade, investment and tourism potentials of the region. Opening the fair, the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and President's Special Initiatives, Mr Kwadwo Affram Asiedu, said District Assemblies could showcase their potentials and create trade and investment linkages through such expositions.

He said in 2002, non-traditional export constituted 28 percent of the country's total export earnings and expressed the hope that the earnings could be increased through investment linkages at the regional and district levels.

A representative of the organisers, Nii Armah Addy, said a District Day would be held to offer participants the opportunity to present papers on the investment potential in their various districts.

The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Gustav Narh Dometey, commended the organisers of the exhibition for helping to tap resources that were available in the region, adding that the programme also offered development partners and business friends the opportunity to deepen their relations and to strategise for mutual benefits.

He said the Regional Co-ordinating Council is committed to supporting initiatives that would lead to sustainable economic growth. The Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Dr Prof. Oti Boateng, said the exhibition marked a good beginning for the people in the Eastern Region and that it would enhance the development of Koforidua as well.

He was optimistic that tourist centres in the region would be put on the Internet so that foreigners could read and know the good things in the region.