Investment forum for Western and Central Regions launched

Takoradi, Oct.2, GNA- An investment forum aimed at building a sound business partnership between local Ghanaian enterprises and foreign investors to boost the economy through efficient private participation was launched in Takoradi on Thursday. Businessmen and entrepreneurs from the Western and Central regions are attending the forum, which would equip participants with the requisite knowledge and skills to expand and improve upon business expertise. It was organised by the Ghana Export Promotion Council (GEPC) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Ghana Investments Promotion Centre (GIPC).

Mr. Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister who launched the forum said the government's plan to attain the Golden Age of Business has been spelt out in the guidelines and its success is a challenge to the implementers. He said investment to Sub-Saharan Africa within the past two years has slumped considerably, thereby prompting the Government to launch its Golden Age of Business policy of promoting private entrepreneurship. Mr. Aidoo said the President's external investment promotional tours and several budgetary measures among others were put in place to correct distortions in macro-economic environment, social infrastructure expansion programmes and human capital development policies.

The Regional Minister called on businessmen to avail themselves of the opportunities brought about by the government's economic policies and expand their concerns. He said the Western Region has enormous untapped resources that could be harnessed for the benefit of its people and the country as a whole, adding, "The region is a unique investment haven to do business". He said the regional coordinating council would soon establish a one stop-desk to provide basic information on investment opportunities in the region.

Mr. Kwodwo Filson of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre said the tendency whereby the country's imports always exceeded exports does not augur well for its economic development. Mr. Filson urged businessmen to shift from trading to the manufacturing sector to support the government on Unemployment. He also advised entrepreneurs to explore the possibility of merging their small enterprises into bigger ones because this have many advantages including sourcing for funding. He announced a programme to establish regional investment promotion centres to help small businesses to grow.