Patronise 14th Int'l Trade Fair – Butah

CAPTAIN KOJO Butah (Rtd), Chairman of the Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFC) Limited, has appealed to corporate organisations, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and the public to ensure that they contribute massively to the success of the upcoming 14th Ghana International Trade Fair, which is slated for February 24 -March 10, 2010 in Accra.

Delivering an address on Tuesday in Accra during a press launch of the event, Capt Butah noted that the contribution of foreigners to the success of the event, which is expected to have about 800 exhibitors, would be incomplete without the requisite local support.

“Traditional fairs have promoted goods and services and expanded Ghana's export base, but international fairs have created the necessary platform for all economic operators to interact with the public, especially customers,” he stated.

Commending the organisers of the fair for choosing the theme, “Accelerating Ghana's international trade and industry,” the GTFC Chairman further revealed that professionalism and competence would not be compromised because “the event was targeting the creation of business exchange in addition to strengthening trade.”

Cletus Kosiba, Executive Director of the Association Of Ghana Industries (AGI), in a statement, called for the establishment of a productive industrial capacity in Ghana in order to register a breakthrough in international trade.

Companies in Ghana, he observed, must endeavour to successfully dominate the local market with quality products in order to explore the external markets.

Mr. Kosiba recommended the re-adoption of fairs in all regions of Ghana to help build a national capacity for exhibitions.

Ben Heh, a Director at the Ministry of Trade & Industry, who read an address on behalf of the Sector minister, noted that a national industrial policy was being prepared.

He cited the recently held Ghana-Nigeria-Togo-Benin summit as one of the means to get the attention of industrial players in the sub-region to look at more proactive ways of building regional trade capacity.

Mr Heh also called on corporate organisations to sponsor the upcoming event.

Ofori Amanfo, the Acting CEO of GTFC, noted that pavillion A would strictly parade 'Made-in-Ghana' goods during the 14th International Trade Fair.

“The price per stand of 12-metre squares is Gh¢1,127. Pavillion B will house foreign participants and a stand will go for Gh¢2,857, while local agents of foreign companies within the same pavilion will be required to pay GH¢1,587.

“For the mobile pavilion, exhibitors (foreign) will pay GH¢852, while local exhibitors will pay GH¢809.

“All payments are inclusive of VAT and application forms,” he added.