Ghanaians show keen interest to do business with SA
Businesspeople in Ghana are keenly interested in doing business with South Africa. This was evident at the two-day business-to-business meetings organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and the South African High Commission in Accra, Ghana this week.
The meetings, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, were part of the Outward Trade and Investment Mission to Ghana funded by the dti. Ghanaian businesspeople came in their numbers to meet the 30 South African businesspeople who were part of the mission. They waited patiently on a winding queue for their turn with expressed expectations to strike a deal or two with the SA companies.
South Africa’s Foreign Economic Representative in Ghana, Ms Nompumelelo Hlela described the interest shown by the Ghanaians in doing business with South Africa as beyond expectations.
“The business seminar that we held on Wednesday was over-subscribed as we had planned for 150 participants but more than 250 businesspeople turned up. The response of the Ghanaian businesspeople to our invitation to the business-to-business meetings was beyond expectations. Our businesspeople had very good meetings both in terms of quality and quantity. We also received warm reception from various companies and government departments that we took our companies to for meetings on various opportunities that they could access there,” said Hlela.
She added that she was impressed by the interest shown by the Ghanaians in doing business with South Africa and expressed hoped that the interest would translate into concrete deals in the near future.
The Project Assistant Manager of Mibrams Ventures, Chris Larbi said he came to the session to seek deals with the South Africans.
“We are happy that the South African companies have come to our shores so that we can exchange ideas and information on possible partnerships and do business with each other. I have spotted various business opportunities from the South African companies, particularly in agro-processing, that I think I will be venturing into and become their distributor in Ghana,” said Larbi
The Managing Director of Tukuza Construction Works and the CEO of the Nyarika Craft Society, Mr Thahiro Rinta said he was impressed by the business opportunities that the South African companies presented to the Ghanaian businesspeople.
“I had fruitful discussions with the cosmetics companies with the aim of doing business with them. I have also expressed interest in importing doors made of wood from South Africa for our construction company,” said Rinta.
The CEO of Amma Foods, Ms Sandra Opokusariye said she had come to seek a company that would assist her export her products to South Africa.
“We have identified South Africa as a possible export market for our products, particularly the organic cereal powder which we are planning to export there soon. I have made valuable contacts and obtained information from the South Africans that will hopefully assist us break into that market,” added Opokusariye.
The Business Development Manager of Food Serve Consulting, Ms Grace-Anne Abido said she shared her ideas with the South Africans on possible business opportunities that they can explore together in order to trade more in agro-processing products from both countries.
The Project Assistant Manager of Mibrams Ventures, Chris Larbi waiting for his turn to meet with the South African businesspeople in Accra, Ghana.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
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