Bamson says Rawlings' Burkina visit creates business

Accra (Greater Accra) 30 March '99

Bamson Company Limited (BCL), sole distributors of Akzo- Nobel Sikkens and Sandtex car paints, said on Tuesday that President Jerry John Rawlings' visit to Burkina Faso last year led to an increase of 25 per cent in their exports to that country. In an interview with GNA, Mr George Debrah, Sales/Marketing Manager, said before the President's visit, there were "political road blocks" that militated against business between the two countries. Following the visit, however, restrictions have been relaxed "and we now have a free hand to do business." Mr Debrah said sale of car paints on the local scene went up by 10 per cent in 1998 over 1997 following the ban on the importation of vehicles above 10 years old. Importers rushed to beat the deadline and many of these cars needed to be sprayed, he added. Mr Debrah said the company invested about 20 million cedis in the training of 177 sprayers and 21 workshop managers across the country while it gave to charity and sponsored organisations and individuals for various events. The company would open a new office and training centre at Kumasi next month to serve customers in the northern sector. By the close of the year, Bamson would start manufacturing emulsion and other water-based house paints, he disclosed. He appealed to the government to ensure a stable currency and adopt measures for smooth clearing of goods from the ports.