17-Member Russian trade delegation to visit Ghana

Accra, July 30, GNA - A 17-Member Russian and Belarus trade delegation including five Ministers of State is to visit Ghana next week to meet President John Evans Atta Mills to discuss trilateral investment cooperation.

The delegation would also meet the Ministers of Energy, Lands and Forestry, Agriculture, and Trade and Industry to explore investment ventures in these key sectors.

The delegation would be jointly headed by Mr Anatoly N. Tkachuk, Vice President of Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE) and Mr Viktor Sheiman, Assistant to the President of Belarus Republic on Special Affairs.

A statement signed by Mr Tkachuk, made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday explained that the investment tour was based on the favourable economic conditions and enabling environment for businesses created by the government.

He said Ghana's democratic credentials and the steady growth in the economy made the country attractive to Russian and Belarus investors to explore ventures in the energy, natural resources, agriculture and construction sectors.

The visit is being facilitated by Chief Executive Officer of FNB Investment Ghana Limited, Mr Kobina Ade-Coker and CENPOWER Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Nana Brew Butler.

ICIE is a lobby based in Moscow that promote the interests of businesses with over 1,000 members, which include both private and state-owned companies, factories, and foreign and Russian plants.

In separate interviews with Ghana News Agency Mr Ade-Coker and Nana Brew Butler said Ghanaian entrepreneurs were ready to collaborate with their Russians and Belarus counterparts to explore investment opportunities.

Mr Ade-Coker described the visit as timely which would seek new opportunities and improve business between the three countries, stressing; "it was time to establish and strengthen relationship for mutual benefit".

Nana Brew Butler assured the international community of the safety of their investments in Ghana because government policies and laws were against forceful seizure of investment.

He said in addition, there were constant dialogue between government and the private sector to improve the business climate.

Nana Butler said the stable political environment, abundant and well trained labour and tax incentives made Ghana a viable investment destination.