Ghanaian expectations high for Xiamen Trade Fair

Ghanaian officials and exhibitors are in high spirit ahead of the official opening of the 18th China International Fair for investment and Trade (CIFIT) being held in Xiamen, in the Fujian province.

Expectations are also high among the exhibitors that the Fair would provide the opportunity to strike partnership deals with investors around the world.

“We have very high expectations of our participation in the Fair and we are looking forward to the influx of visitors to Ghana’s stand and the business to business deals for Ghanaian entrepreneurs and institutions,” Mr Gideon Quarcoo, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Export Promotion Authority told Ghana News Agency.

The CIFIT which would run from September 8 to September 11 to promote inbound and outbound investment on the theme: “Introducing FDI and Going Global," is the only one in China that specialises in promoting international investment.

The 18th CIFIT would highlight the new trends of international investment cooperation, explore China’s strategy for developing the emerging industries.

The fair has three main areas of investment and trade exhibitions, investment forums and seminars and policy release and investment project matchmaking symposia.

This is the second time Ghana Export Promotion Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry is coordinating the participation of Ghanaian entrepreneurs and institutions in a fair in China.

The first was in 2013 at the Yiwu Forest Product fair.

The exhibitors lauded the exposure that GEPA had given them, saying it prepared them to tap into the huge Chinese market.

Mr Quarcoo said the objective of Ghana’s participation in the fair among others is to promote the country’s non-traditional export items, explore and secure export ventures as well as technology transfer and investment deals for Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

We are seeking to attract investment into Ghana through participation in these fairs, address supply side constraints and technology transfer through partnership with Ghanaian entrepreneurs and institutions, he said.

Mr Quarcoo said the fair coming on the heels of a successful participation and exposure of exhibitors in the Forest Product Fair in Yiwu, the CIFIT would offer a bigger platform for them to excel.

Besides, the Fair would help deepen the frontiers of trade exchange between Ghana and China not only government to government but also entrepreneurs.

Ghana is billed to make presentations to Chinese business community about investment opportunities in Ghana at an investment promotion seminar on the sidelines of the fair.

Mrs Agnes Gifty Adjei-Sam, Deputy Director, Trade Research and Information, said the exhibits of the participating companies arrived on time and there was no problem of delay.

She said in all 19 companies in various sectors, including cosmetics and handicrafts are participating in the fair.

Ghana’s delegation to the Fair is being led by Murtala Mohammed, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.