Ghana A Hub For Chinese Automobile Entry Into West Africa

Chinese automobile giants, Jiangling Motors Import and Export Company Limited at the weekend said Ghana had been selected as a hub for Chinese automobile industry in the West African market.

"The favourable infrastructure development, efficient financial sector regulations, stable political regime, aggressive development strategy and cordial relationship between the two nations, dating back from independence were among the yardstick used," Mr Hu Yong, Jiangling Motors Manager in-charge of Middle East and Africa Division told the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

Mr Yong, who led a business delegation to the country as a follow-up to the recent visit by the Chinese Premier, Mr Wen Jiabao, who was on a seven-nation tour of Africa to help increase trade and bilateral relations between his country and Africa urged business entities to take advantage of the political cooperation between the two nations.

He said demand for Chinese automobile in the West African sub-region is very encouraging as "we offer customised vehicles for the difficult terrain, humid environment at economical rate to meet the financial status of most people."

He said, in view of these industrial developments between the two nations, Jingling Motors organised a two-week training for its representatives from Ghana and other parts of the world.

The workshop, he said, exposed participants from the over 30 countries, including Ghana, represented by Sneda Motors, local representatives of JMC in West Africa operation of the Chinese automobile industry to use of information, communication and technology in automobile production, marketing and servicing.

Mr Yong said officials of the local representatives have also been trained on the Chinese automobile information technology. He explained that Sneda was established to foster automobile trade links between Ghana and China and to explore the West African sub-regional market of about 250 million people and deals in Chinese trucks, FYM motorcycles, Chery saloon cars, pick-ups and station wagons, manufactured by Great Wall Automobile Holding Company, Dong Feng Motor Industries, Chery Automobile and FYM Motorcycles and JMC.

"Our vehicles are economical, low fuel consumption, special features for tough African road and very durable," Mr Yong stated.

Mr Justice Essuman, Head of Sales and Marketing Manager of Sneda Motors told the Ghana News Agency that Jiangling Motors, with the favourable market development and penetration, has the hope for the establishment of a vehicle assembling plant in Ghana.

He said the increasing demand for Chinese vehicles and other goods within the West African sub-region of about 250 million people, made it imperative for Ghana to play a leading role and study the Chinese business acumen and tradition to consolidate trade relations.