Abidjan exhibition shows Ghana's commitment to sub-regional trade - GEPA

Abidjan, Nov. 19, GNA - Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) says the ongoing 'Solo Exhibition' in Abidjan, La Cote d'Ivoire shows Ghana's commitment to improve trade liberalisation within the West Africa sub-region.

Mr Gideon Quarcoo, GEPA Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said: 'Our presence here is a demonstration of our commitment to forge ahead with our Ivorian partners in moving our trade relations to the next level. It is also a demonstration of the vote of confidence that the Ghanaian private sector has in the economy of Cote d'Ivoire.'

He said the mandate of the GEPA, under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is to develop and promote exports of man-in-Ghana products and services all over the world.

Mr Quarcoo made the remark at the opening ceremony of the 10- day exhibition organised by the Authority in Abidjan on the theme: 'Borderless trade, enhancing Ghana - Cote d'Ivoire economic cooperation through trade.'

He said the theme was chosen to emphasise the importance Ghana attaches to sub-regional trade and the need for countries in ECOWAS to open up their markets to each other and to eliminate all barriers that hinders the progress of commercial exchanges between them.

He said Ghana's dominant markets for non-traditional products are the European Union and the ECOWAS markets which together account for 85 per cent of their total Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs).

'The ECOWAS market alone accounts for close to 30 per cent of Ghana's NTEs. NTEs refer to all exports from Ghana apart from minerals such as gold and bauxite, cocoa beans, timber logs and electricity, some of which we export to La Cote d'Ivoire, 'he said.

Mr Quarcoo said in 2010 Ghana' NTEs revenue to Cote d'Ivoire was ,618,102, while in 2011 the figures grew to ,395,416 and at the end of 2012 it recorded ,344,628.

He explained that these statistics are meant to indicate the huge potential for expansion in bilateral trade if the necessary measures are deployed to facilitate trade between the two countries.

'All companies and products that are represented in this year's exhibition come under our mandate, and we are providing them the necessary technical and financial support to ensure that they improve on their products and marketing skills in order that they succeed in their endeavour,' the CEO stated.

He said the ECOWAS market holds the key to the rapid growth of Ghana's NTEs.

Mr Quarcoo said within ECOWAS, Ghana, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire are the biggest economies; and it stands to reason therefore that Ghana must pay special attention to its trade with them, especially Cote d'Ivoire.

More than 40 Ghanaian companies from sectors such as cosmetics, herbal medicine, construction equipment, textiles and garments, alcoholic beverages, and cooking utensils, are taking part in the exhibition.

Mr Samuel Asamoah of ProphAsk Enterprise, dealers in artistic products told Ghana News Agency that crossing the Cote d'Ivoire border at Elubo was a huge challenge, declaring that he spent more than 24 hours there until the organisers of the exhibition came to the aid of the company.

He appealed to the authorities to consider easing business at the border in order to facilitate trade liberalisation to facilitate faster economic growth of the sub-region.