Volta Trade and Investment Fair yielding positive results

Ho, Apr. 11, GNA - The first Volta Trade and Investment Fair, organized in November last year, is reportedly yielding positive results.

Many investors, mainly foreigners are said to be carrying out feasibility studies to establish business empires in the region.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister, who gave the hint during his tour of the South and North Tongu District Assemblies said a stone quarry and a motor assembling plant would be established in the region by some investors who were almost through with their feasibility studies.

He said: the "signs are good; a few months to come our youth will have a lot of job to do to enhance their lots."

Mr Amenowode, therefore, urged young people to prepare themselves in readiness for such jobs.

He said government was also re-packaging the Micro Finance and Small Loan Scheme (MASLOC) to promote small and medium scale enterprises and advised people in the sector to take advantage of the facility to grow their businesses.

Mr Seth Yawlui, Advisor, Private Sector Development of the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) which supported the Fair, said the region had received an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce of South Africa, interested in investing in tourism sector.

He said a number of individuals, mostly foreigners, had also contacted organizers of the Fair with interest in investing in agriculture with some having acquired lands already.

Mr Ransford Kani, Regional Project Officer of the National Board for Small Scale Enterprises, (NBSSI) told the Ghana News Agency that some exhibitors at the Fair had been invited to an international fair in Lagos and that the economy of the region was seeing some improvement after the fair.

He said the fair created opportunities for businesses to advertise themselves and develop partnerships out of which some businesses were recording expansions.

Mr Kani said the fair inspired many unemployed youth to go into self-employment, resulting in the springing up of SMEs in Ho in particular.

He said notable among these businesses are graphics designing, fruit drink processing, iced cream joints, cosmetic shops and boutiques, among others.

GNA