Third Volta Investment Fair opens November 25
The third edition of the trail-blazing, Volta Trade, Investment and Cultural Fair opens at the Jubilee Park in Ho on Friday.
The Volta Trade and Investment Fair, which made its debut in 2009, is perhaps the most ambitious organized jingling of the wares of the Region in recent times.
The 2011 Fair is on the theme “Volta Region: Reliable Investor’s Destination” and expects 210 exhibitors.
Fair planners added a cultural aspect to the 2010 event and christened it Volta Trade and Investment and Cultural Fair from then on to emphasize the varied cultures of the people of the Region as merchandise to prop tourism.
The Fair is coordinated by the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) and under the auspices of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC).
Collaborating agencies include the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC), National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI), the Municipal and District Assemblies, Ho Polytechnic and the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.
Col. Cyril Necku (rtd), Deputy Volta Regional Minister lauded the previous two fairs as generating momentum that needed to be propped up by the coming one to enhance the “visibility of the investment opportunities in the Volta Region”.
Fallouts from the previous fairs include budding investment plans in agriculture and tourism.
Volta Region is largely an industrial desert, with the Diamond Cement factory as the only big industry.
The Volta Star Textile Company which was incorporated to take over the assets of Juapong Textiles Limited (JTL) one time synonymous with the Region, is facing serious hiccups.
Frantic last minute preparations were going on when the GNA visited the fair grounds on Tuesday.
Musical, cultural performances and drama pieces lined up for the 14-day Fair had already commenced.
Though for many the Fair is a pre-Christmas shopping arcade, Mr Ransford Kani, Senior Project Officer of the NBSSI told the Ghana News Agency that serious behind the scene business contacts had taken place in the past and many more would take place this time round.
He said there would be conclaves on various aspects of business issues at conference rooms along the side of the market-like scene at the fairgrounds.
Mr Kani said all district and municipal assemblies would have the opportunity to sell their economic potentials and also have special district cuisine days.
The Volta Region’s competitive strength in the economic setting in Ghana is in agriculture and tourism.
A chunk of its entrepreneurs fall within the micro-business category, with very poor management and business organizational skills and often said to be credit shy.
Source: GNA