Chinese group seeks investment opportunities in Ghana

Executive Secretary-General of the China People Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, has declared its intention to build a large port in Ghana to facilitate economic activities.

This is to also help make Ghana an important trade centre in the world since the country offers conducive atmosphere for economic and trade activities.

Executive Secretary-General of the Association, Mr Xu Kaiyu, announced these when he led a group of investors from China to meet the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, in Accra.

He said: ‘I am here as a representative of several private sector operators in China to discuss possible cooperation in the areas of trade and economics and how Ghana can offer the ideal place for such venture”.

Mr Xu said the group could also engage in agro-processing projects to ‘supply canned goods for the world market.

He said the cordial relationship between Ghana and China should be exploited to the benefit of the two countries.

Mr Xu said once the government of Ghana accepts the group’s request to invest in the country, and a land identified, a technical team comprising people from the two countries, would start the feasibility work.

He gave the assurance that the association would abide by the laws of Ghana in their business dealings, and commended the government and people of Ghana for sustaining peace, which has made Ghana attractive to investors.

Mr Idddrisu said the Ministry would support the group provided it has financial resources to embark on its ventures.

The Minister said: “Ghana abounds in a vast tract of coastline and once the group is ready to work, government would facilitate the release of coastal land for the construction of the port”, adding that Ghana welcomes genuine investors to all sectors of the economy.

The Minister said: “there are genuine Chinese doing business in Ghana, but the market is the exclusive preserve of Ghanaians and a no-go area for foreigners.”

Mr Iddrisu appealed to foreigners operating businesses in Ghana to obtain visas, resident permits and to register their companies to enable the country to benefit from them in terms of taxes.

He pledged to work with both local foreign investors to revive the manufacturing sector which has dipped of late.

Mr. Iddrisu asked the Chinese investors to build modern markets through  private-public partnership once they demonstrate their intent to do business in Ghana.

“One area which I also want you to consider is the Ghana Trade Fair, where government will welcome investors to transform the facility into a modern trade centre with hotels and other facilities to host events and activities, to bring the place at par with other World Trade Fair Centres”, the Minister said.

Source: GNA