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Regional News of Wednesday, 13 December 2006

Source: GNA

Entrepreneurs urged to do more towards economic growth

Takoradi, Dec. 13, GNA - A business and finance forum to focus mainly on the financing of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the Western Region opened in Takoradi on Wednesday with a call on entrepreneurs in the sector to do more towards the Region's economic growth.

Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Regional Minister, in an address read for him also expressed the need for greater collaboration among stakeholders to strategize on the best options for the exploitation of the Region's vast natural resources for the benefit of the people.

He said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) would continue to support the promotion and development of business enterprises so as to strengthen the Region's productive sectors for wealth creation and employment generation.

The Regional Minister noted with satisfaction that the government's vision towards the private sector had paid off in such areas as stability of the national currency and steady decline in inflation. This, he said had brought about intense competition in the financial services sector, leading to drastic reduction in bank interest rate and innovative financial products.

Mr Amoah said the government had not relented in its support to the private sector and urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the available opportunities to complement government's efforts to build a strong economy to enhance development.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado who presided, spoke about the need for developing nations to form their own economic philosophies that would work better in their interests other than the interests of the economies of other nations.

He also said micro financing must not take partisan considerations to defeat its objectives to enhance the lives of the people. About 80 participants including representatives of the various financial institutions and other stakeholders are attending the two-day forum, organized under the auspices of the Western Regional Coordinating Council.