Trade Minister assures investors of government’s support

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, has assured investors of the government’s commitment to creating a friendly business environment for their investment to yield their desired returns.
According to him, since the goal of government was to enhance the country’s economic growth, “the government is ready to forge partnership with serious investors with the goal to do business in Ghana”.

Speaking at the launch of Marina Mall, an Accra based Shopping Centre, last Thursday, Mr Iddrisu said  “We are looking forward to the development of a long-business chain in Ghana which would take the lead to support the manufacturing and progression of the living standards of the people,” Mr Iddrisu said.

As part of efforts in creating a friendly atmosphere for investors to do business, he said “the government is currently reviewing a corporate social responsibility which would guide and govern the relationship between the agencies and the private sector.”

He said, the government had revised the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Bill in order to attract more foreign direct investment into the country.

He, however, challenged the business organisations to uphold high ethical standards, especially in their dealings with the government and its agencies.

That, he said, would pave way for the collective and effective partnership needed to enhance the living standards of Ghanaians.

Marina Mall

The mall has a six-level tower of offices with an approximate area of 3,250 m2, occupied by Nestle Central and West Africa, Technip Ghana/UK and Hess Ghana Exploration. It also has a three-level shopping area covering a total space of 9,000 m2.

In his welcome address, the Administrator of Marina Mall, Mr Malek Abi-Saab, said the mall was built to add to the expansion of businesses in the country and to create employment for the teeming Ghanaian youth.

“Currently, we have 700 direct and indirect employment for the youth, and plans are underway to boost our operations and increase our targets,” he said.

According to Mr Abi-Saab, one of the key factors that attracted owners of the mall to build in Ghana was the favourable and peaceful environment, adding that “Ghana continues to be one of the numerous destinations for investors”.

He said Marina Mall was a contemporary shopping mall with unique dual commercial development that included offices, one of the biggest supermarkets in the country, an entertainment centre, restaurants, fashion shops, health and beauty care shops.

Mr Abi-Saab said the mall had been specially designed to ensure smooth vehicular traffic flow.

By Dominic Moses Awiah/Daily Graphic/Ghana