Czech Exim bank to finance projects

The Czech Republic’s Exim bank plans to finance projects in Ghana as part of efforts to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ghana’s Ministry of Trade and Industry will facilitate the identification of projects for the bank‘s financing and implementation.

This was made known when a Czech delegation led by Jan Kohout, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Trade and Industry, Haruna Iddrisu, in Accra.

Discussions were centred on opportunities for trade and investments in both Ghana and the Czech Republic, formation of partnerships, project financing in Ghana, knowledge sharing, double taxation issues, establishment of a Czech desk in the Ministry and public-private partnership arrangements.

According to Jan Kohout, Ghana is in the midst of a transition, marked by growth and democratic consolidation, and in the backdrop of these, there is the need for a major shift in the bilateral relations between Ghana and Czech towards a strategic partnership focused on political and commercial cooperation.

He disclosed that the main areas for partnership could be agro and agri-business, railway construction, food processing, construction of hospitals and provision of medical equipment, as well as the establishment of Czech companies within the free zones enclave.

For his part, Mr. Iddrisu said government is committed to a stable political environment with established democratic institutions and systems to ensure good governance of the country.

He indicated that the President, John Mahama, has committed himself to creating a “Better Ghana” by the end of his tenure of office, and the essence of this vision is to energise the private sector enough to serve as the propellant from which economic growth is fuelled and thereby improving the lives of the people.

According to the Minister, government’s policy is to strengthen the concept of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to enable the private sector to take advantage of opportunities, whilst government plays the role of an enabler to help boost trade and investment.

He commended the Czech Republic for maintaining a good relationship with Ghana over the years and promised to continue to strengthen it to benefit both countries through a win-win approach.