Government has reiterated its commitment to creating an improved business environment as well as pre-position the country to proactively deliver support to the private sector. These remarks were made by the Minister of Trade and Industry (MOTI) Mr Alan Kyeremanteng, in a speech read on his behalf by his technical advisor Mr Felix Nyako-Pong at the Ghana Slovenia Business Summit held at the Kempinsky Hotel in Accra on 27th November 2018.
He said that Government will continue to come up with policies and programs of great benefit to the private sector. He announced that under the Transformation Agenda of Government, MOTI has launched the Business Regulatory Reform Program to make Ghana the best country for doing business with in West Africa. He disclosed that Ghana is pursuing a ten point agenda for industrial transformation through MOTI for industrialization.
Mr Kyeremanteng said that the visit by the delegation will strengthen the relationship between Slovenia and Ghana and also provide further prospects for more effective engagements in the industry. He said that Ghana's location in Africa, that is, its proximity to European, Middle East and Asian countries makes it an ideal and preferred investment destination.
He added that one of the key pillars for Ghana's economic takeoff has been identified as gathering both local and foreign investors. "Global trade and investment dynamics require that countries seek new frontiers, partnerships and linkages to remain relevant and competitive in the global market" he noted.
He said that it is imperative that Ghana and Slovenia capitalize on the opportunities presented by the summit to forge more mutually beneficial trade and investment relationships that possess the realities of its peculiar needs and are in line with pressing global commitments.
Mr Kyeremanteng urged the Slovenian delegation to take advantage of the Free Trade Agreements entered into by Ghana such as the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union, The African Growth and Opportunity Act with the United States of America among others and use Ghana as a production point to serve the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) region. He also urged Ghanaian business to network with their Slovenian Counterparts to take Ghana Beyond Aid.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Slovenia, Dobran Bozic said that bilateral activities in recent years between Ghana and Slovenia have sped up. He said this year's 7th Africa Day Conference showed that Ghana and Slovenia are growing as partners. He added that Slovenia is a country with the 3rd highest Gross Domestic Product(GDP) in the European Union(EU).
Speaking to the media, Mr Bozic said Slovenia is a green nation and there is a lot of opportunity for Ghana as a leading nation on the continent for green energy. He expressed confidence in Ghana's business climate.
The CEO for Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), Madam Afua Asabea Asare said that it is sad that Intra-African trade is just about 2 per cent. She added that though Ghana is considering Intra-African Trade, external trade is also very necessary especially with other European countries.
Madam Asare said that the delegation has come after a good projection of Ghana to Slovenia during the Africa Day in May 2018. She said that Slovenia is also looking to expand trade beyond their borders adding that this offers Ghana an opportunity due to its central location.
She also said that some members of the delegation have expressed interested in cocoa and cocoa derivatives adding that Ghana can in turn tap into their sanitation planning and recycling plants which she described as remarkable.
The Summit was put together by the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It was attended by stakeholders in the trade industry as well as business owners in Ghana and Slovenia. The Slovenian delegation included businesses in pharmaceuticals and electronics and many more.