Accra played host to a landmark event as Ghana, in collaboration with the American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, and the U.S. Commercial Service, successfully launched its inaugural Business Expo. The expo, a two-day affair themed “Leveraging U.S-Ghana Trade Relations for Growth and Prosperity,” saw the convergence of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials, and business titans from both nations to explore avenues, exchange insights, and forge strategic alliances.
The distinguished opening ceremony witnessed the presence of eminent delegates from the United States, led by H.E Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, H.E Virginia E. Palmer, Ambassador, and Ms. Ayesha Bedwei Ibe, President of the American Chamber of Commerce.
During the event, Hon. Kobina Tahir Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, reiterated Ghana’s commitment to bolstering support for the private sector, both local and foreign, to amplify production and export capabilities. Particularly focusing on the manufacturing sector, Hammond highlighted opportunities for export to the U.S., encompassing Horticulture, Textiles, and Garment products. He disclosed the imminent introduction of a Garments and Textiles Manufacturing policy and incentive framework, aimed at attracting and facilitating targeted investment into the industry.
Addressing the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, Hammond emphasized its potential to eliminate tariff restrictions and non-tariff barriers within member countries. With an estimated target market of 1.3 billion people, projected to reach 1.7 billion by 2030, he underscored the potential growth in intra-African trade and urged the initiation of concrete business deals during the Expo to bolster U.S.-Ghanaian commercial relations.
H.E Virginia E. Palmer, Ambassador to Ghana, commended Ghana’s longstanding dedication to promoting bilateral trade with the United States. Highlighting the upward trajectory of trade relations between the nations, Palmer noted that the bilateral trade in goods reached $3.7 billion last year, with services trade also on the rise. She emphasized the positive impact of over 100 American companies operating in the Ghanaian market, fostering economic prosperity and job creation on both sides of the Atlantic.
H.E.Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, praised Ghana’s remarkable efforts in nurturing business growth and fostering trade and investment between the two countries. She acknowledged Ghana’s role in nurturing the growth of bilateral relations, acknowledging the significant contribution to economic advancement.
The U.S.-Ghana Business Expo is poised to serve as a pivotal platform, catalyzing fresh business relationships and connections, while solidifying the foundation of the flourishing trade relationship between the United States and Ghana.
Source : Ministry Of Trade And Industry