President Mills receives Stanchart, Odebrecht groups

President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday gave audience to Sir John Peace, Chairman of Standard Chartered Group Plc at the Osu Castle in Accra

President Mills reiterated government's commitment to ally with genuine investors to raise the standard of living of the people.

He commended the Ghanaian subsidiary of the Group, the Stanchart Bank, for achieving a high level of excellence and said it was necessary to learn from the expertise of the bank and adopt new trends and methods with the objective of ensuring better lives for the people.

Sir John is in Ghana on a working visit to review the bank's performance. The bank has been operating in Ghana for the past 116 years.

President Mills stressed the role of investors in the economy and said it was necessary to work more closely together.

He said being in power was to use available resources to improve the lives of the people.

President Mills extended a hearty welcome to the Standard Chartered Group Chairman, saying, “I am happy to meet with you today.” “I am also happy Stanchart has been able to achieve a high level of excellence.”

Sir John Peace commended Ghana for charting a strong economic path, hoping that Stanchart Ghana would be part of Ghana’s new economic path while the Government utilised the resources judiciously.

Ghana is well positioned for growth, Sir John said. The delegation was accompanied by Mr Ishmael Yamson, Board Chairman of Stanchart Ghana.

In a related development, a delegation from Odebrecht International, a Brazilian global engineering and construction firm, led by its Executive Director Mr. Gustavo Guerra, also called on President Mills.

The company, which deals in petrochemicals has expressed interest in the construction of the Eastern Corridor road with a proposed sum of $250 million, awaiting Parliamentary approval.

In a post meeting interview, Mr Guerra said work on the portion of the corridor that would be allotted to the company, if approved, would begin in the second half of 2012, and would take two years to complete.

He said President Mills assured the company that government would fulfil its part of the negotiations and expected same from the company**