Spain holds two-day exhibition

Accra (Greater Accra) 24 Nov. '99

A two-day exhibition of Spanish products opened in Accra on Tuesday with a call on Ghanaian manufacturers to go beyond being manufacturers' representatives and explore greater and better opportunities in the sub-region.

Mr Kwesi Ahwoi, Chief Executive of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), said the policy of "Buy Made-in-Ghana goods" would help develop the potential for this aggressive marketing.

The fair, the biggest ever to be organised in Africa, seeks to promote and explore the market for Spanish products. It is designed to encourage local industries to develop and utilise their potentials in order to compete globally.

In a speech read for him, Dr John Frank Abu, Minister for Trade and Industry, urged the exhibitors to take advantage of Ghana's export processing zone facilities under the gateway programme and establish permanent marketing relations.

Companies in the free-zone sell up to 30 per cent of their output in Ghana.

Dr Abu reminded the exhibitors of abundant investment opportunities in construction, transportation, fish processing and packaging, among others, and urged them to explore these areas.

He also called for support schemes for Ghanaian exporters to increase their performance in the Spanish and EU markets.

Mr Fernardo Corral, Spanish Ambassador, said the fair shows the trust and confidence Spain has in Ghana and the good relationship between the two countries.

Products being exhibited include food products, electrical and electronic gadgets, spare parts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, clinical supplies, perfumes, footwear.

GRi../