Two programmes to be rolled out in 2012 to transform the economy

Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – Miss Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry has said a National Export Strategy and National Export Development Programme would be rolled out in 2012 to transform Ghana’s economy to a diversified and industrial one.

She said this in a speech read on her behalf at the launch of the Ambiente 2012 Exhibition, adding that the move was to wean the economy off its dependency on agricultural-export commodities to a more broadened base.

The event was jointly organised by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Ghana and the Ghanaian-German Economic Association (GGEA) in Accra on Monday to showcase the fair to Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

Ms Tetteh said the government had set a target to increase non-traditional exports to five billion dollars by 2015 and added that that it was committed towards reaching the 16-billion mark in terms of the total exports volume.

“Government is committed to ensure that the export sector is service efficiency and industrial productivity driven, and based on knowledge, skills and technology in line with contemporary global trends and best practices,” she added.

Ms Tetteh said the rehabilitation of Aburi Craft Village and the Construction of craft villages in Abrafo in the Central Region and Kpetoe in Volta Region were examples of specific government interventions in the craft sector.

Mr Thomas Wimmer, Deputy Head of Mission to the German Embassy, noted that the country’s economic growth which is expected to exceed 13 per cent by the end of 2011, had made the country a household name and attractive destination for German businesses.

He alluded to recent remarks made by some officials of the International Monetary Fund who praised the country’s economic recovery in recent times during a meeting they held with President John Atta Mills, Finance Minister Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Governor of the Bank of Ghana and other senior officials in August 2011.

Mr Wimmer observed that Ghana and Germany had a long standing relationship in areas including trade, industry and technical assistance which he described as an excellent partnership and called for continued partnership to deepen the relations both countries share.

Mrs Yvonne Engelmann, Director of Giving at the Messe Frankfurt Exhibition, described Ambiente 2012 Exhibition as one of the biggest trade-fair-brands and leading event for the table, kitchen, home furnishing and giving sectors.

The event which brings together exhibitors and visitors is scheduled to take place in Germany from 10th to 14th February 2012.

Mrs Engelmann said more than 4,500 exhibitors and 150,000 visitors are expected to descend on Frankfurt next year to participate in the fair.

She described her outfit as the world’s biggest fair and exhibition centre in terms of indoor exhibition space.

Mrs Engelmann said the parent company, Messe Frankfurt Group of Companies, had a global network comprising 28 subsidiaries, five branch offices and 52 International Sales Partners.

She said events organised by the Messe Frankfurt in the recent past had been hosted in 30 avenues worldwide and guaranteed excellent service and personal assistance to both exhibitors and visitors.