GRi BEF News Ghana 27 - 09 - 2000
Ghanaian-Israeli
Chamber of Commerce in the offing
Ghana
Association of Bankers releases Exchange Rates
Ghanaian-Israeli Chamber of Commerce in the
offing
Accra (Greater Accra) 27 September 2000
The United Friends of Israel (UFI) Ghana, a
non-governmental organisation, has initiated moves to establish a
Ghanaian-Israeli Chamber of Commerce to promote trade between the two
countries.
Prophet Kofi Oduro Agyeman-Prempeh,
Secretary-General of UFI, made this known in an interview with the GNA on
Monday after the inauguration of UFI, which is the non-denominational wing of
the Christian-Israeli Embassy of Ghana (CIEG).
He said a number of personalities in the
private business and financial sectors of the two countries have been put
together to exchange ideas on the project.
"We are also in the process of linking up
with the appropriate ministries, including Trade and Industry, Finance, the Interior
and Foreign Affairs, to facilitate the establishment and smooth running of the
chamber."
Prophet Agyeman-Prempeh noted that since 1990,
when CIEG was established in Ghana, several Israelis have been expressing
interest in making substantial investments in the agricultural, educational,
telecommunications and other sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
"For some reasons I thought this was not
going to be possible, but the current government's policy which makes the
private sector the engine of growth, now sets the tone for us to benefit from
the Israeli investment."
Prophet Agyeman-Prempeh said as part of the
package, there are plans for Ghanaian students to gain scholarships to Israeli
universities.
Ghanaian-Jewish centres will also be
established in both countries to facilitate the learning of each other's
literature, arts and culture.
"For a start, some Jewish religious songs
are being taught in selected Ghanaian charismatic churches, whilst some local
ones are being taught in our counterpart churches in Israel."
In a fraternal message to mark the inauguration
read by Mr. Emile Short, Commissioner of Human Rights and Administrative
Justice, the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Ehud Barak, praised the UFI and CIEG
for their commitment to the Israeli-world friendship.
He said; "the commitment expressed by our
Christian friends in Ghana and the rest of the world gives us the confidence
that our effort at peace and security with other countries is not in
vain."
Mr. Barak assured UFI and CIEG of the support of
his government for private businesses that choose to invest in Ghana, adding
that Ghanaians are also warmly welcome to do business in Israel.
He, however, cautioned that visitors must
adhere to Israeli immigration and other rules adding, "Israel is a police
state".
Mr. Short lauded the UFI initiative and
appealed to the government, private sector and civil society to support the
effort.
GRi…/
Ghana Association of Bankers releases Exchange
Rates
Accra (Greater Accra) 27 September 2000
The Ghana Association of Bankers on Tuesday
September 26, released the following average interbank exchange rates of the
cedi equivalent to the dollar and derived rates for other major foreign
currencies:
Currency Buying Selling
US Dollar 6,425.09 6,625.64
Pound Sterling 9,370.99 9,668.13
French Franc 860.19 886.55
Swiss Franc 3,713.34 3,828.05
Deutsche Mark 2,883.9 2,974.44
Canadian Dollar 4,318.23 4,451.46
Japanese Yen 59.81 61.66
Dutch Guilder 2,560.45 2,638.90
S/African Rand 887.56
913.82
Euro 5,641.78 5,816.82
CFA Franc 8.60 8.87
Naira 63.05 65.01
Ecowas/WAUA 8,470.10
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GRi…/