Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire rakes increased trade

Volume of trade in plastic products, petroleum, coffee and cereals between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire increased between 2006-2010, Mr Daniel Kablan Duncan, Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs said on Monday.

Speaking at the Ninth Session of the Ghana-Cote d’Ivoire Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) in Accra, he called for consolidation of the bilateral exchanges to promote commercial activities between the two neighbours.

The PJCC, which drew government officials from both countries to deliberate on issues of economic, political, social and cultural importance, was aimed at consolidating relations between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire and to improve the lives of their citizenry.

Mr Duncan however, expressed dissatisfaction about the bilateral trade in textile and other food products which declined in 2010, as compared to the previous year.

He expressed concern that it had taken some years for the ninth session to be held since the eighth in 1997.

Mr Duncan said Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire needed to galvanise their efforts at giving new breath to bilateral relations and prevent the gains made in social, economic and political sectors from stagnating.

Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said the meeting signified the common commitment of both countries to agree on strategies and solutions towards addressing the challenges facing their countries.

He commended the Ivorian Government for conducting a successful parliamentary election and strides made towards reconciliation and reconstruction of that country.**