Indo-Ghana bilateral trade to reach billion dollars

Kolkata, Feb 4 : Ghana's bilateral trade with India would grow to one billion dollar by 2012-15 with special focus on steel, engineering, tourism and jute industries, High Commissioner of Ghana to India John Bentum-Williams said here today.

Talking to mediapersons after announcing appointment of Mr D P Tantia as Hony Consul for Ghana in West Bengal, the High Commissioner said the trade target would be achieved by investments in other sectors as well like fishing, non-ferrous metals, tea and sports.

Mr Bentum-Williams informed that the trade turnover between the two countries had gone up to 947.62 million dollars in the last fiscal as compared to 563.84 million dollars in 2006-07.

He said India's exports to Ghana had increased from 460.71 million dollar in 2006-07 to 807.14 million dollar in 2007-08.

Mr Bentum-Williams, who inaugurated the office of the Consulate in Salt Lake earlier in the day, said with this Ghana's High Commission now has representation in Mumbai and Kolkata, besides New Delhi.

'' The Consulate of Ghana in Kolkata will start functioning with immediate effect and will endeavour to foster closer business and cultural exchanges between Ghana and West Bengal,'' he observed.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tantia said with the opening of the Consulate in Kolkata, there would be greater trade and cultural ties between Ghana and Eastern India.

'' I look forward to working with the High Commissioner of Ghana to establish a presence for Ghana in Kolkata. Africa, in general and particularly Ghana, represents great opportunities for business, culture and tourism and I hope we will be able to spread greater awareness about such possibilities between the two countries,'' Mr Tantia maintained.