Israeli trade exhibition opens

Accra, Oct. 26, GNA - Mr. Alan Kyerematen, Minister of Trade, Industry President's Special Initiatives, on Tuesday opened four-day Israeli Trade Exhibition Fair in Accra and urged Israeli and Ghanaian investors to take advantage of the fair to explore areas of mutual investment benefits.

The fair dubbed: "Applicable Technologies Fair 2004," underway at the premises of the Dizengoff Ghana Limited, is showcasing telecommunication, building and construction, irrigation and agricultural technology products, and cooling systems.

The fair, the second to be organised after the first one last year, is a follow-up to a building and technology seminar held in Israel early this year. It is being organised by a visiting Israeli trade delegation and Dizengoff Ghana Limited.

Mr Kyerematen noted that there had been an appreciable increase in the volume of trade between Ghana and Israel since 1999 from 6.96 million dollars to 11.37 million dollars in 2002.

The major products traded include industrial diamonds, semi-manufactured gold and chocolate from Ghana, whilst air-conditioning machines and parts, herbicides and transmission apparatus were imported form Israel.

Mr Kyerematen acknowledged Israel's excellent agro and environmental technology and invited her to provide Ghana with innovative technologies to solve its plastic waste problem, which had become and environmental menace.

Mr. Kwesi Abeasi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, advocated a complete adoption of the irrigation technologies of Israel to boost agricultural productivity.

Other areas where Ghana could adopt Israeli technology to enhance her development are the building and construction, and the environment. Mr Abeasi noted that investment did not happen overnight and asked Ghanaians to actively get involved in the nation's investment promotion drive.

Mr Avraham Israeli, leader of the Israeli trade delegation, said the delegation was glad to be in Ghana to enhance the business contacts with the two countries.