France Assures Nation Of Support

Ghana will continue to benefit from French aid, says Mr. Jean Michel Berrit, French Ambassador to Ghana.

Speaking at a New Year reception hosted by the President of the Ghana-France Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture on February 7, this year, Mr. Berrit explained that the recent entry of Ghana in the "Priority Solidarity Zone" would allow the nation to benefit from new financing investments and mechanisms.

He noted that Ghana is currently the 100th client of France, with last year's sales to Ghana amounting to about $104 million.

The Ambassador said between 1993 and last year, Ghanaian exports to France represented $700 million, increasing by 71% in eight years, while for that same period, French exports to Ghana reached an average of $650 million and increased by 57%, thus over an eight-year period, the cumulative surplus for Ghana totaled $50 million.

There is no doubt that the new government's commitment to create a favourable environment through the implementation of policies of good governance, fight against corruption, rehabilitation of the currency, encouragement to the private sector, will boost our commercial exchanges and investments", said Ambassador Berrit.

He told the Ghana France Chamber that the global economy is not a bed of roses, and that attracting foreign investments, increasing market shares, developing new products and services is not an easy task for both developed and developing nations alike.