International Trade Fair for Kumasi in 2005

Kumasi, Jan 7, GNA- The London Small Business Growth Initiative Limited (LSBGI), a company in the United Kingdom in collaboration with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) is to organise a trade and exhibition fair dubbed, "Destination Kumasi 2005" in October next year. The fair is to provide a platform for small and medium scale businesses in the Kumasi metropolis to interact with their counterparts from the UK, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries to promote business. Miss Claire Jackson, the Director of Trade and Corporate Affairs of LSBGI, said this when she paid separate courtesy calls on the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo and the KMA Chief Executive, Mr Maxwell Kofi Jumah, on Tuesday.

Miss Jackson said her company supports the establishment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), provide them with information on trade accessibility and build their capacities to ensure their growth and development.

Miss Jackson, a Jamaican, said her company is trying to establish linkages with companies in Africa to promote trade and investment. ''The time has come for Africa and the Caribbean countries to establish closer linkages and relationships to promote trade, especially in textiles, jewellery and artefacts'', he said.

Mr Boafo said the SMEs are the backbone of the nation's economy and there was the need to give them the necessary support to ensure their growth and development.

He commended the KMA for the initiative and urged other district assemblies to find innovative ways of promoting businesses among the people.

Mr Jumah said there was the need to establish closer relationships with cities in the Caribbean to tap their rich experiences in tourism and other industries.