Asamankese (E/R), Dec. 12, GNA - The Ninth Rural Enterprises Project Clients Exhibition and Trade Show has ended at Asamankese in the Eastern Region.

The show was attended by 216 businesses from 73 districts and municipalities in the country and was aimed at providing business opportunities to rural enterprises in the country. Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Regional Minister who closed the exhibition urged the district and municipal assemblies to release funds to support rural enterprises to enable them to grow.

He expressed appreciation about the various products on display and said it was an indication of the beginning of the country's industrialisation process.

In a speech read on her behalf, Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Hanna Tetteh said micro, small and medium enterprises made up more than 90 per cent of businesses in the country and provided about 60 per cent of the work force.

She said one could therefore not expect to promote the growth of the economy without paying particular attention to the growth and sustenance of small scale enterprises.

Ms Tetteh said her ministry recognised the Rural Enterprises Project (REP) as one of the major interventions being implemented in the country to reduce poverty in the rural areas through increased self employment. Mr Johnson Adasi, Director of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Technological Transfer Unit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, said more than GHc 37,000 products were sold at the week's show. He said during the past three years, the REP had provided 3,700 youth who graduated as apprenticeship trainees with start-up kits, to enable them to set up their own businesses.

Mr Adasi said the project planned to support 6,000 youth in traditional apprenticeship training to set up their businesses after graduation. The West Akim Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Seth Otchere said the fair would facilitate reduction of the unemployment situation in the area. 12 Dec. 09