Italy to open trade agency in Ghana

Mr Carlo Calenda, the Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development, has announced that the Italian business associates will soon open a business office in Ghana to enhance bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

The Italian Trade Agency scheduled to open on February 1, 2016, would cover the West African sub-region and support Italy’s Small and Medium Enterprises that invest in Ghanaian businesses.

Mr Calenda, who made this known during a reception at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in Accra, said the Government of Italy was ready to provide financial support for the project.

The Minister said despite Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 70 per cent and Italy’s GDP ratio of more than 130 per cent, the country must manage growth within its financial constraints.

Mrs Laura Carpini, Italy’s Ambassador to Ghana, said the three sectors her country would invest in are Infrastructure, Agriculture and Energy.

She expressed the hope that the relationship would be a booster for economic development between the two countries.

Dr Ekow Spio Garbrah, the Minister of Trade and Industry, expressed gratitude to the entrepreneurs for their bold initiative to invest in Ghana, and assured them of the security of their investments and their persons.

Mr Nii Amaa Ollennu, Vice President of the Italian Business Association in Ghana, said the global changes in commerce and trade led the group of entrepreneurs to come together to tackle new challenges, given the continuous evolution in macro-economic factors.

He said the Association would become a group of reference and offer valuable support for entrepreneurs already operating in Ghana, as well as those who wish to approach the Ghanaian market.

Source: GNA