Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematen has this day delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the new office of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in Accra.
In his speech, he reiterated the cordial relationship and shared values between Ghana and Japan.
Mr. Kyerematen stated the government’s plan to enhance the productive capacity of the local private sector to position them to partner with foreign investors including Japanese investors to take full advantage of the numerous opportunities prevailing in the economy.
He further went on to address the effects of post-Covid-19 on the economy and trade sector as well as initiatives taken to sustain the economy in the wave of Covid-19.
In his words, “The advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought many countries including Ghana and Japan a number of opportunities and posed severe risks. For us in Ghana, the pandemic threatens to reverse the gains we have made but we are keen to seize the opportunities which have emerged to rapidly increase the production and export of value-added products through strategic trade and investments partnerships in critical sectors of the Ghanaian economy. We are however mindful that, these investments will not yield the desired results without a robust and a friendly business environment”
In his closing remarks, Mr. Kyerematen gave the assurance that his outfit will continue to work with JETRO to attract more Japanese investments into Ghana to take advantage of numerous opportunities in the Ghanaian economy.
Present at the opening ceremony was the Pesident, H.E Nana Akufo Addo
Full speech below:
SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON. ALAN KYEREMATEN, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY DURING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW OFFICE OF JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANISATION (JETRO) IN ACCRA ON 5TH NOVEMBER 2021
H.E. NANA ADDO DANKWA AKUFO ADDO, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA;
COLLEAGUE MINISTERS OF STATE;
MINISTER FOR ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF JAPAN;
- NOBUHIKO SASAKI, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF JETRO;
H.E. HIMENO TSUTOMU, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO GHANA;
- HIROAKI SEKINE, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF JETRO GHANA;
- YOOFI GRANT, CEO OF GHANA INVESTMENT PROMOTION CENTRE (GIPC);
HON. MANABU SAKAI, CHAIPERSON, JAPAN-GHANA PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION;
HON. ICHIRO AISAWA, CHAIRMAN OF JAPAN-AU PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION;
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY;
DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS;
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I stand on an existing protocol to add my voice in extending a very warm welcome to you all, particularly to our distinguished delegation from Japan, led by Mr. Sasaki, the Chairman and CEO of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).
Ghana and Japan have enjoyed longstanding, cordial and strong bonds of friendship and cooperation based on shared values. It is therefore appropriate on an occasion like this, to pay tribute and express our gratitude to the numerous support Ghana has received from Japan over the past years especially in the area of trade and investment. Ghana is also home to a number of iconic Japanese businesses including Toyota and Nissan and continues to attract significant investments from Japan into the country.
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
In August 2019 at the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-7), His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo held bilateral meetings with the then Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe aimed at boosting trade and economic cooperation between our two countries. I am happy to report that, that bilateral engagement led to the establishment of a JETRO Office in Ghana to enhance the cooperation between our two countries in trade and investment.
The opening of this office is happening at a time when Ghana is playing host to the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an Agreement that is ushering the African continent into a new era of intra-Africa trade. The location of the Secretariat here in Ghana presents huge potential for trade, finance and investments, and it is not surprising that major global brands such as Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, Twitter and Google have already followed this lead and established operational offices here in Ghana. The establishment of a JETRO Office in Ghana to promote trade and investments undoubtedly reinforces the growing confidence in the leadership of this country led by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
The Government of Ghana seeks to enhance the productive capacity of the local private sector to position them to partner with foreign investors including Japanese investors to take full advantage of the numerous opportunities prevailing in the economy.
Our Ten Point Industrial Transformation Plan which includes the One District One Factory (1D1F) Initiative, developing Strategic Anchor industries, promoting SME development and Export development through value addition, has made Ghana an attractive investment destination in Africa.
EXCELLENCIES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
The advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought many countries including Ghana and Japan a number of opportunities and posed severe risks. For us in Ghana, the pandemic threatens to reverse the gains we have made but we are keen to seize the opportunities which have emerged to rapidly increase the production and export of value-added products through strategic trade and investments partnerships in critical sectors of the Ghanaian economy. We are however mindful that, these investments will not yield the desired results without a robust and a friendly business environment.
In this regard, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has advanced in the implementation of a comprehensive programme of Business Regulatory Reforms. Under this programme, the Government has established a National Public-Private Dialogue platform aimed at improving consultations between Public Sector Policy Makers and Private Sector Operators when enacting Laws, developing Policies, and drafting Administrative Notices. In addition, we have established a number of Regulatory Reform Units in Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the country to streamline the implementation of agreed business regulations.
In conclusion, EXCELLENCIES, DISTINGUISHED INVITED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I wish to assure you that the Ministry of Trade and Industry will continue to work with JETRO to attract more Japanese investments into Ghana to take advantage of numerous opportunities here in the Ghanaian economy.
On this note, let me congratulate the Japanese Government for this decision to establish a JETRO Office in Accra, Ghana.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Scenes from the opening ceremony
