Aliu Arrives in London for Ghana Expo 2003

(FROM BEATRICE AKUA ASAMANI - GNA SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, LONDON).

London, Oct. 14, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama arrived in London on Tuesday to participate in Ghana Expo 2003, a major Exhibition and Investment Seminar, aimed at showcasing Ghanaian businesses and products, while promoting international trade.

Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK, with other Embassy officials, met the Vice President on arrival.

Under the theme, "Golden Age of business; A reality," the four-day event to be opened by the Vice President on Thursday would attract 1000 exhibitors and visitors to the Alexandra Palace, to enjoy business attractions.

Major producers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, consumers and policy makers from Ghana and Europe are expected to participate in the event, which would also exhibit made in Ghana products to the world.

Expo Africa is a British registered company with a Ghanaian subsidiary, is organising the event.

The company specialises in promoting Africa, African businesses and products onto the world markets by providing links between governments, government agencies, international organisations, African businesses and the international business community to create a network of trading partners.

According to the organisers, the objectives of the GHANA EXPO 2003 will be to promote and expose the trade and Investment opportunities in Ghana to the world market.

It will enable each business sector represented to present Ghana as a trading and investment Gateway to West Africa; promote Ghana exports products with their diversity and refinement to the European and world markets.

Additionally, the company said the event would present Ghana's competitive advantage in Africa in terms of trade partnership; establish the image of Ghana as a reliable source of supply for a variety of raw materials, finished products and quality affordable labour; establish new and strenghten existing trading partnership; expose the existing trade and investment opportunities, growth potentials and the sound economic climate that exist in Ghana.

It would also introduce the rich traditions and cultural heritage of the country and encourage tourist trade in Ghana.

The climax of the GHANA EXPO 2003 will be a colourful durbar, attended by the Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu, 11. Various traditional groupings and associations in the UK, Europe, North America and elsewhere will be represented at the Durbar, which would reflect Ghana, in pomp and pageantry.

Miniters of Trade, Industries and PSI and Private Sector Development are also attending the event. Mr. Kwesi Abeasi, Chief Executive of Ghana investment Promotion Council arrived in the UK with the Vice President.