All is set for first ECOWAS Industrial Summit in Accra
Nana Akrasi-Sarpong, the Communications Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, says the 1st ECOWAS Industrial Summit, is scheduled for the Accra International Conference Centre on 21 July.
Speaking to the GNA on Thursday, he said, he is satisfied with the preparations so far as well as the encouraging response not only from the West African sub-region, but other parts of the world.
People are coming from Malaysia, United States, Germany and other parts to share their experiences with the sub-region and this provides a unique opportunity for the private sector to take advantage of, he said.
He said Ghana is hosting the maiden Summit 6, bringing together stakeholders to deliberate the Sub-region’s industrial development to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
The summit is also critical for the future of Ghana’s development.
Nana Akrasi-Sarpong said: “When ECOWAS ministers and industrialists, as well as potential investors outside the Sub-region in Africa, and in Europe, Asia and the United States are coming then it provides a unique opportunity not only for Ghana but the sub-region as a whole.”
What we expect from the business community is to partner the Ministry of Trade and Industry to host a successful event, he said.
“What would make this event memorable is that the Summit would immediately be followed by the Ghana-China Investment Forum, which would look at investment opportunities in Ghana for China.
“China has over the years made a name for itself on the global scale as an export-oriented industrial nation and is now looking to relocate some of its factories to other parts of the world, including South East Asia and Africa because of the rising costs of labour in China.
“So if these events are coming on simultaneously then it affords the business community an opportunity,” he said.
Nana Akrasi Sarpong said: “The Chinese are of the view that by relocating to Ghana, it will make prudent for the Chinese manufacturers to ship their equipment to Africa to process goods to supply the West African Sub-region.
“Ghana has received a number of requests from China and the forum will be used to inform the Chinese business community that Ghana is ready to become the hub for the West African Sub-region for industrialisation purposes.
“We however invite the private sector and businesses in Ghana to partner the Ministry of Trade and Industry to host the summit since the business community will immensely benefit from a vibrant industry and increased investment.”
Among the topics to be discussed at the ECOWAS Industrial summit would be Finance and Investment; creating a unique model for industrial financing; Pharmaceutical Industry Session and ECOWAS Pharmaceutical Industry Prospects and Challenges;
The rest are Textiles & Garment Session; The Textiles and Garment Industry- The Export potential; Developing the Automotive Industry in West Africa – the way forward and Agro-processing-Reducing Post harvest loses and creating jobs in the Sub-region.
Source: GNA