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Ghana, Turkey to establish industrial zone

Ghana and Turkey plan to strengthen their bilateral relations with the establishment of a $300 million industrial zone in Ghana.

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) from Turkey have begun preparatory discussions to set up the organised industrial zone in Ghana to serve as a hub for both foreign and local entrepreneurs.

Accordingly, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the GCCI and the ASO to work out modalities for the establishment of the zone.

The Charge D’ Affairs of the Turkish Embassy, Ms Simay Erinoglo, said this in an interaction with journalists in Accra.

The industrial zones project, expected to begin in 2014, will position Ghana as a gateway to the sub-region and bring a lot of benefits such as employment opportunities to the country.

The establishment of an industrial zone, according to the diplomat, would reduce the hassle of land acquisition and other attendant challenges in securing amenities to sites for both local and foreign investors.

The two chambers will again create more development through the promotion and diversification of trade, economic cooperation and exchange of information, commercial and cultural relations.

Ghana supports Turkey’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo in Izmir, the beautiful Turkish city, under the banner; ‘New routes to a better World and Health for all’.

Izmir, a city dating back 8,500 years, is known for its dynamic economy, natural beauty and multiculturalism.

If the bidding is successful, Izmir would attract 35 million visitors during the six-month period.

With its “Health for All” theme, the city aims to provide a platform for countries to get together to discuss and generate solutions to health problems facing the world.

Ghana and Turkey are halfway through achieving the $1 billion trade portfolio, and the two countries have indicated their commitment to achieving that target.

Turkey has increased its investment and diplomatic charm in Africa in a bid to capture the economic growth and investment opportunities opening up on the continent.

There have been at least 10 key Turkish business delegations to Ghana in the past year, and not only have both countries re-opened their respective diplomatic missions, but trade exhibitions and fairs between both countries have become regular.

The religious wing of Turkish diplomacy, the Human Development International Association (HUDAI), is building the largest mosque in Accra for the Muslim community at a cost of $10 million, while Turkish investors have expressed an interest in building the new international airport that Ghana has proposed to build.

Apart from Turkish Airlines flying regularly between Accra and Istanbul, a number of Ghanaian journalists have been sponsored to Turkey to learn more about the country.

By Suleiman Mustapha/Daily Graphic/Ghana

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