Ghanaian Business Executives asked to explore opportunities
Accra (Greater Accra Region) 26 September 2001 - The leader of the visiting South African Trade delegation, Dr Danisa Baloyi, on Wednesday said the only way to bridge the huge trade imbalance between Ghana and South Africa was to improve trade relations between them.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Dr Baloyi said Ghanaian entrepreneurs have the responsibility to take up the challenge and explore business opportunities in South Africa to enhance trade and reduce the deficit.
"The effort to reduce the imbalance lies in the hands of the private sector and not the government. The government can only pave the way but it is the private sector that can bring results."
Although Ghana and South Africa has a fruitful trading relationship, balance of trade has always been in favour of South Africa.
The 46-member delegation, mainly members of the Black Business Executive Circle, held discussions with their Ghanaian counterparts on tourism, construction, aviation and information technology during the group's one-week visit. It departs for South Africa today.
Dr Baloyi said the delegation was encouraged by the healthy investment climate and was taking back to South Africa the assurance of the conducive atmosphere for business in Ghana.
"The building of blocks starts with us. It is from this visit that others will be encouraged to come to invest," she said and added that members of the group would definitely come back to do business.
Dr Baloyi said the two governments share responsibility to build a common platform for sustainable development for the people of Ghana and South Africa.
"No economy can succeed if democracy is not sustained," she added. Trade and Industry Minister, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku reaffirmed the government's commitment to assist investors in every way possible to bring investment into the country.
He expressed the hope that the delegation had found compelling reasons to come back and invest.
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