New business network for ACP countries launched

Accra, July 28, GNA – A new e-network, “Com4Dev” to sustain businesses in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) was launched in Accra on Wednesday.

Financed by the European Union, Com4Dev would serve as a conduit for the dissemination of the platform to the companies.

It was created under the “Proinvest programme,” following a needs analysis of Private Sector Development Intermediary Organizations and stakeholders across ACP countries.

Proinvest is a programme of the group of ACP States and the European Union to facilitate the promotion of investment and technology transfer in ACP countries.

Mr Thierry Salmon, Leader of the training team, speaking at a press briefing, said the e-network, which was free of charge, was to build a dynamic, interactive community of companies, professional associations, donors, and public organizations.

That, he said, represented a potential of several million members in over a 100 countries.

He said a group of representatives from chambers of commerce and trade associations would be trained on how to use the platform.

Currently, a three-day workshop is underway in Accra for 22 Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.

Mr Salmon said Com4Dev would allow ACP companies to enhance their visibility in 79 ACP countries and those of the European Union; network in order to generate business; obtain and share information on business opportunities; participate in events; and benefit from e-learning.

Other benefits, he said, include participation in national and international tenders, access to international funds, share studies, reports and best practices and create business clusters to gain economies of scale.

He said Intermediary Organisations would be used as conduits for the dissemination to their member companies and also as guarantors of information placed on the net to ensure the seriousness and professionalism of the platform.

He said: “To enable capacity building, the platform includes a range of features dedicated to intermediary organizations, space on the internet (no need to invest in a costly web site), event organization and follow-up management, membership management, financial and marketing management.”

Twelve countries, including Ghana were selected to become a ‘hub’ for information sessions and training in Intermediary Organisations.

Other selected countries were Barbados, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Senegal, Cameroon, Congo, Madagascar, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique.

Mr Stephen Oteng, Head of Business Development, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), said the new platform would assist them immensely in search of market and suppliers for their members.

He announced that GNCCI was appointed as an administrator to manage the Com4dev programme in Ghana and called on the media to come on board in educating the public and the business community about the programme.

“If we do the education well, the programme would help promote Ghana businesses and industries,” he added.