Switzerland aids Ghanaian fruit producers, exporters to access world markets

The Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) has held an information session for Ghanaian food and vegetable exporters to help facilitate their access to international markets, a statement issued by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana said April 3, 2012.

Officials say the event’s primary objective was to inform the Ghanaians about how they could participate in the 2013 Fruit Logistica Fair, an international business and communication fair for fresh produce trade, which will be held in Berlin, Germany in February 2013.

“Other presentations were on the topics of SME Certification and Market Access as well as improving competitiveness through improved production and work friendly environments,” said the statement.

The event was attended by members of the Federation of Association of Ghanaian Exporters (FAGE), Sea Freight Pineapple Exporters of Ghana (SPEG) and other interested producers. They were also introduced to SIPPO’s activities and partners in Ghana.

“Accessing the international market for our fresh produce has been a challenge; however, through our interactions with SIPPO, we are making headway,” the statement quotes Mr. Winfred Gelli, Director of Elikem Welfare Association, a farmer group association as saying.

He added “Hopefully our participation in the 2013 Fruit Logistica Fair will open more opportunities for our member farmers to sell their produce.”

According to the Fruit and Vegetables Project Manager at SIPPO, Mr. Jonas Spahn, they were able to meet numerous representatives of SMEs in Ghana. “We have already met some very capable candidates for our programme and we are looking forward to collaborating with Ghanaian enterprises, facilitating market access and sharing our knowledge in marketing SMEs products at trade fairs,” he adds.

Ms. Brigitte Cuendet, Head of Cooperation at the Swiss Embassy in Accra said “Integrating Ghana into the global economy is one of the primary objectives of Swiss Economic Development Cooperation and this event will help exporters take advantage of market opportunities elsewhere.”

SIPPO is a division of OSEC, the official Swiss foreign trade promotion agency. It works with SMEs in developing countries to help them gain access to the Swiss and European markets by providing information, training courses and matchmaking services at international trade fairs.

By Ekow Quandzie

1 Comment
  1. Enter your name... says

    This is a very laudable collaboration and things must work to the letter.
    Elikem Welfare Association’s Farmer Groups need support to attend the Fair in order to link up the international market.
    Eric Agbozo
    Ghana

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