Invest in Africa, a private sector initiative that brings together leading companies across sectors has held its inaugural African Partner Pool (APP) business networking forum for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.

The forum created the platform for SMEs in Ghana to network with APP buying companies, including Ecobank, Lorhno, UT Bank, Guinness Ghana Limited, Tullow Ghana, Newmont and General Electric.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr John Appiah, the Marketing Manager, Invest in Africa Ghana, said the company also works together with local SMEs to develop local enterprise and support investments into Ghana.

It said SMEs that participated in the forum, had the chance to learn about the procurement plans and tender notices these APP buying companies have for the year 2015.

“SMEs had the opportunity at the forum to register their interests to be part of the AfDB funded Business Linkage Programme,” it added.

Mr James Asare-Adjei Agyare, the President of the Association of Ghana Industry said local SMEs play a very important part the country’s economic development and as such they need all the support from both the public and private sectors.

He said the APP was one of the private sector initiatives that has come to support local SMEs in Ghana to access new markets through the AfDB funded business linkage programme and provide quality capacity building training for local SMEs

Mr Sam Brandful, the Manager, Invest in Africa, Ghana said the purpose of the APP business networking forum was to equip local SMEs with information and knowledge on the many procurement and business opportunities that exists.

He said it was actually to guide the SMEs on how to fully utilize these opportunities.

The APP, which is Ghana’s first online cross sector business directory, connecting local and international companies, is the flagship initiative of Invest in Africa.