KMA woos chinese investors
The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Mr Kojo Bonsu, has expressed optimism that the establishment of the sister-city relationship between KMA and the two Cities of China; Wenzhou and Xuzhou, would serve as a necessary tonic for accelerated economic growth of the Kumasi Metropolis.
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The mayor recently led a six-member delegation to China for a 10 day official visit on the invitation of the two cities.
The KMA Boss and his delegation signed a Letter of Intent with the two Mayors of Wenzhou and Xuzhou and their authorities at separate ceremonies to kick-start the relationship.
Mr Bonsu has reciprocated by extending an invitation to the two chinese mayors who have agreed to visit Kumasi to conclude a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to seal the sister-city relationship.
He told the Daily Graphic that he was elated that the two cities were serious about education because they found it as the key to unlock the door to science and technological development.
He was also happy about the Chinese preparedness to share their experiences and their scientific knowhow with the youth in schools in the Kumasi Metropolis.
He described the visit to China as very successful because the fundamental objectives of the trip were fully met.
Wenzhou-Kumasi business co-operation
At a formal Wenzhou-Kumasi Business Co-operation forum attended by prominent businessmen and women, Mr Bonsu stated the trade and investment opportunities /potentials in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region in general.
In a presentation, he gave a brief history of the Kumasi City emphasising its strength as the commercial hub of Ghana. He spoke about its trade and investment opportunities particularly in agriculture, estate development, manufacturing as well as the waiting labour force and its availability as a big market . He told the enthusiastic members of the Chinese business community why Kumasi (and therefore Ghana) should be their preferred destination for business in Africa.The Kumasi mayor assured them of their safety and the protection of their investments in Kumasi citing the free zone board facilities and other investment incentives that await them.
Mr Kojo Bonsu and Mr Michael Aboagye, KMA Coordinating Director, in a pose with their Chinese counterparts.
The KMA leadership stressed it had resolved to ensure that a solid foundation was laid for the development of the metropolis and had also taken bold steps that would ensure that peace and tranquility which are necessary for economic and social development prevailed.
The City of Wenzhou is known for its astute businessmen who take their businesses global, with the right environment provided.
Donation
The Chairman of Zhejiang Aosilang Lighting Electric Equipment Company Limited, a subsidiary of Lipper Lighting Company, Germany, at the end of the forum, donated LED products worth 260,000 Yuan to the KMA. Expressing his appreciation for the donation, the KMA Chief Executive said they would be used to light public places such as schools, hospitals and streets within the city of Kumasi.
Tour of business establishments
While the delegation toured industrial establishments in the two cities, the KMA mayor also invited Chinese business executives to open businesses in Kumasi; which they agreed to explore.
Establishments visited included the Zhejian Aosilang Electric Lighting Company (which donated the lighting products), the Zhejian Creative Park which specialises in creative work and innovations in audio-visual advertising, the Kangnai Footwear Holdings Group engaged in manufacturing of leather products basically shoes, bags and garments and the Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Limited (XCMG), manufacturers of construction equipment and machinery.
Mr Kojo Bonsu in a pose with the executives of Wenzhou Businessmen's Forum.
Tourist sites
The Kumasi delegation also visited tourism and recreational sites. They included the Jiangxi Island where ancient artifacts and history of the Wenzhou City is physically represented. The team was ferried across the Oujiang River to the Island.
On education, cultural and technological exchange, the Presidents of Wenzhou University and Xuzhou Institute of Technology (both of which were visited) agreed on exchange programmes with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and for this, the Vice Chancellor of KNUST will be brought on board.
An offer of scholarships was made by the University of Wenzhou and the KMA’’s role will be to vet the certificates and other relevant documents of prospective beneficiaries from Kumasi before the issuance of Chinese visas and admission into the university for programmes in Information Technology (IT), Engineering, and the Social Sciences and the study of the Chinese language .
Investment drive
The mayor’s shift to promoting trade and investment in Kumasi is aimed at offering employment avenues and improving incomes, especially for the youth to complement his city infrastructure transformation agenda .
On why the paradigm shift, Mr Bonsu’s response was as follows:
“Regeneration of the Kumasi city through infrastructure development and in terms of the Rattray Park, the redevelopment of Kejetia/Central Market and the provision of education, health, water and sanitation amenities among others have been ongoing and shall continue.
Mr Kojo Bonsu, KMA Chief Executive and Mr Zhang Geng, Mayor of Wenzhou signing the letter of Intent.
However, all these should not be to the neglect of the local economic development; hence my shift towards business development and investment in Kumasi which is also in line with government’s and KMA’s strategic objectives.
Mr Kojo Bonsu, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, in an interactive session with the Mayor of Wenzhou, Mr Zhang Geng.
My next move will be to organise a visit to China by Kumasi businessmen and women after my counterparts from China have visited Kumasi with their prospective investors”.
Mr Bonsu was thankful to his colleague mayors of Wenzhou and Xuzhou, the Ghana Embassy in China especially, the Deputy Ambassador, Mr Horace Nii Ayi Ankrah who joined the Kumasi delegation at Xuzhou on their visit to that city; the Presidents of the two universities Zhejiang Aosilang Lighting Electric Equipment Company for their donation, and all those who facilitated the trip to China; not forgetting Messrs Lee and Yao who are already doing business in Kumasi.
The KMA Mayor’s donation
Mr Bonsu, on behalf of the KMA, also donated a traditionally made plaque and flags of Ghana and the KMA to the Wenzhou and Xuzhou Municipal Authorities as well as the Commercial Representatives Office of Kumasi in Wenzhou, China, as it opened for business. This office will facilitate all business ventures between the people of Kumasi and Wenzhou.
