Mr. Michael Ocquaye Jnr. in a group photo with some officials
The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has embarked on a strong program to showcase Ghanaian companies and products to regional and international markets.
As part of this momentum, GFZA recently participated in the second edition of ‘Ghana Business Expo’ in Abidjan.
The three-day event organized by Global Afrique Ltd. between September 15 and 17, 2021 had the main objective of helping to present Ghanaian companies and products in the Ivorian market while creating business and economic opportunities for Ghanaian and Ivorian companies.
Leading the Ghanaian delegation to the exhibition was GFZA Managing Director (CEO) Mr. Michael Oquaye Jnr, who also chaired a seminar held on the sidelines of the exhibition to share ideas on trade and business development.
He was accompanied by Mr. Kwame Nsiah Asante, Director of the Estate and Zones, Ms. Patience Acorlor, Director of the Regional Office of GFZA Tema, Ms. Anita Novi Quashie, Head of Marketing and Promotions, and other GFZA staff. .
The Minister Plenipotentiary (Economic and Political) of the Embassy of Ghana in Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Moses Envolah, who represented the Ambassador of Ghana in Côte d’Ivoire, was present at the exhibition; senior Ivorian customs representative who trained participating Ghanaian companies on tax and tariff systems in Côte d’Ivoire and tariffs aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Officials from the Ivorian Food and Medicines Authority (CODINORM) were also present to inform Ghanaian companies of standards and certification for entry into the Ivorian market.
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More business opportunities
In his opening remarks, Mr. Oquaye Jnr expressed his joy at seeing the companies of the two brother countries create more opportunities for commercial investments.
He hoped that the Business Expo would create a closer link between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to ensure a faster economic recovery from the scourge of Covid-19.
According to him, “statistics show that in 2019, Ghana exported $ 114 million worth of goods mainly composed of unglazed ceramics, used clothing and woven fabrics of synthetic filaments to Côte d’Ivoire.” “The same year under discussion, Côte d’Ivoire also exported goods worth $ 234 to Ghana,” he added.
He advised Ghanaian companies participating in the exhibition to take advantage of the opportunities presented under the AfCFTA and to enter into joint ventures with their counterparts in Côte d’Ivoire in order to create economies of scale in order to better serve the whole. of Africa.
Industry Meetings
The CEO of GFZA and his team took the opportunity to have private industry meetings with several Ivorian institutions, including the Center for the Promotion of Investments in Côte d’Ivoire (CEPICI) and the Village des Technologies de L ‘ Information and Biotechnology of Côte d’Ivoire (VITIB).
The team also visited the VITIB free zones in Grande Bassam where they met the Director General of VITIB – the Free Zones Authority in Côte d’Ivoire, Dr Philippe A. Pango.
Discussions focused on investment opportunities in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire and how the two countries could create synergies to attract more investment.