Ms Nancy Powell, US Ambassador on Tuesday said Ghana remains a strategic market in West Africa.
"While Ghana is relatively small in terms of global trade with the United States, it remains a strategic market in West Africa and one in which the American government sees a tremendous potential for commence," she said.
Ghana's conducive economic environment, she said has generated a lot of American interest to build business relationship with trade and potential investment partners in the country.
Ms Powell made the assertion during a press and exhibitors' preview of America and Ghana - Partners in Development" business trade and investment fair scheduled from September 25 to 28, 2002 in Accra.
Mr Michael Owen, Head of the Economic/Commercial section of the US embassy read her speech on her behalf.
The fair would focus on trade and investment opportunities for American companies and organisations interested in penetrating the West African market.
Ms Powell said Ghana had already proved to be an attractive destination for American investment through improved infrastructure and the government's commitment to the growth of the private sector.
She identified telecommunication, information technology, agriculture and food processing as major prospects for American investors in Ghana.
Mr Kwamina Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development, reiterated the government's goal to create an environment in which the private sector could flourish to provide the necessary growth to move the economy forward.
He, however, expressed concern about the outdated company code, lack of long term loans for investors, high interest rate, bureaucracy at the entry points and government's domestic borrowing to the detriment of local industries.
Mrs Victoria Cooper, President of American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), said global trend demands cooperation among African states to attract needed investment.
She said with Ghana as the Gateway to the West Africa sub-region, the fair would offer American investors the opportunity to access the larger regional market.
Mr Kwami Ahiabenu, Director Expo Promotions, organisers of the fair, said the America/Ghana fair would contribute to the government's declaration of Golden Age of Business.
