Ghana-America trade expo kicks off

The first ever America and Ghana trade exhibition has kicked off at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) in Accra.

About 53 local and foreign exhibitors are participating in the four-day exhibition which is meant to showcase American and Ghanaian products in the country.

It is being organised by Expo Promotions and African Connections in conjunction with the ministries of Economic Planning and Regional Co-operation, Trade and Industry, Private Sector Development as well as the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana.

The trade and exhibition conference will, among other things promote trade relations between Ghana and America as well as focus on one-to-one match making for the mutual benefit of the countries.

The Resident Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ghana, Mr Alfred Salia Fawundu in an address said efforts must be made by the government to increase its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the present $7.5 billion to about $10 million within the next five years as envisaged by the government?s vision.

This, he said will help expand the base of the economy as well as create jobs for the benefit of the people. He said the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) offers the country tremendous opportunity and called on American and Ghanaian businesses to collaborate to enable them to take the opportunities under the act.

The president of the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, Ms Vicky Cooper urged business executives from the two countries to focus on how to increase trade between the two countries for their mutual benefit.

The General of Expo Promotions, Mr Tim Gross said the exhibition will offer exhibitors and the general public, the opportunity to trade, while making contacts.

Some of the exhibitors at the fair, who are mainly local representatives of American companies said that the country was ready for trade partnership between Ghana and American companies.