Amsterdam trade mission visits Kumasi

Kumasi, March 8, GNA-A trade mission from the Amsterdam Seaport and the City of Almere in the Netherlands on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo in Kumasi to explore means of strengthening the Kumasi- Almere sister-city relationship.

The delegation, which included representatives of trading companies, transport organisations, building and construction as well as members of the Amsterdam Ports Association, is also in Ghana to explore avenues to improve the country's seaports where shipment pass through Amsterdam port to other parts of Europe.

Members of the delegation had already visited the Boankra Inland Port site and met with business executives in Kumasi.

Mr Horst Mark Van Der, Vice Mayor of Amsterdam and leader of the delegation, said the visit was to enable members to acquaint themselves with the operations of the country's seaports, which served as a direct link between the Amsterdam seaport and the West coast of Africa. Mrs Annemarie Jorritsina, Mayor of Almere, said the city was collaborating with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in the areas of waste management and capacity building and expressed the hope that the visit would strengthen the cooperation between the two cities and promote bilateral economic development.

Mr Boafo said Kumasi as a historical town abounds with many investment avenues and opportunities, which could be harnessed. He mentioned the ingenuity of artisans at the Suame Magazine and called for external support in the areas of modern equipment to enable the artisans to improve on their productivity.