Germany to open trade and industry office in Ghana

Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - Germany is to open a Trade and Industry Office in Ghana to improve economic partnership between the two countries.

Dr Marius Haas, German Ambassador to Ghana, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of a four-day German European Business (GEREU) 2009 Trade Fair, being organised by the Ghanaian-German Economic Association in Accra.

The fair would showcase the best quality products in automotive, energy, construction, engineering, medical equipment, telecommunication, digital business and logistics.

Dr Haas said the office was necessary because of the improvement in the Ghanaian market for German companies. He hoped Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) would also establish an office in Germany for their mutual benefit. Mr John Gyetuah, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, said Government had embarked on programmes to add value to locally produced commodities and diversify them to strategically put the country as a manufacturing hub in the West Africa Sub-region. He said Government would institute measures to reduce delays in securing licence, cost of doing business and enhance the legal and regulatory frameworks.

Mr Gyetuah said government would also provide the right infrastructure, improve public service delivery and ensure peaceful and harmonious labour environment for effective and smooth business practices. He urged German investors to explore the country's Agro-processing industry and its contribution to socio-economic development.