French port complex showcases activities in Ghana

Accra, Oct. 13, GNA - HAROPA, the alliance between the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris, has rolled out activities to present the transport and logistics offers available to and from the Seine gateway to Ghanaian companies.

The event which took place in Accra was held in the presence of Richard Anamoo, Executive Director, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and Mr François Pujolas, Ambassador of France.

It was hosted by a delegation led by Nicolas Occis, President of HAROPA and Chief Executive Officer of HAROPA - Port of Rouen.

The delegation presented wide range of solutions in terms of conventional transport, containers, roll-on/roll-off and break-bulk.

Ship owners, shipping agents, shippers, traders and freight forwarders also attended the event to strengthen their African partnerships and offer their services on the river Seine corridor.

The official trip to Ghana was to reinforcing the privileged relations between HAROPA and the Western Coast of Africa.

Mr Philippe DEHAYS, President of Rouen Port Employers' Association, confirmed that Accra, one of the most dynamic cities in Africa, is a not-to-be-missed destination for HAROPA, and that the visit would be the occasion to foster and develop the relations between the port communities in Ghana and in France.

He also highlighted the importance for the port complex to develop relationships with an Anglophone countries and mainly Ghana, a country with a lot of assets, political stability with developed legal framework and a good level of infrastructure.

He said ports are today at the heart of the African economies as more than 90 per cent of trade on the continent is carried out by sea.

Mr DEHAYS said HAROPA wishes to become a solid partner and work with Ghanaian partners to optimise bilateral transport costs and to address the challenges raised.

Mr Pujolas said this year environment and sustainable development are key stakes for all countries in the world.

He referred to the upcoming Paris Conference on Climate Change to be held in December and the recent adoption of Sustainable Development Goals at the UN as the excellence proven by HAROPA Port Complex, which deserve to be highlighted.

The Ambassador said that over the past years the interest of French companies that wish to do business with Ghana has been growing continuously.

He recalled the high-level exchanges between France and Ghana, which created a platform for the strengthening of economic cooperation, which facilitated President John Dramani Mahama's visit to France this month.

President Mahama also met a delegation of MEDEF, the largest organisation of French companies in Accra.

HAROPA, is the 5th largest port complex in Northern Europe, is a joint venture between the ports of Le Havre, Rouen and Paris.

Connected to every continent owing to a first-rate international shipping offer (with connections to 600 ports worldwide), the "one-stop" hub forms a global transport and logistics system, capable of providing a comprehensive end-to-end service.

HAROPA handles more than 120 million tons of cargo by sea and waterway each year. HAROPA business represents 160,000 jobs.

GNA