UNIDO, WTC-Accra plan to attract Italian investors

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s (UNIDO) Investment and Technology Promotion Office (ITPO) has met with some high-level institutional representatives in the country over the Ghana-Italy Investment Forum scheduled for October in Rome.

The meeting was to deliberate on a country presentation to showcase Ghana’s investment opportunities to the Italian business community at an exhibition.

The UNIDO representatives as part of the visit held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hanna Tetteh, and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Haruna Iddrisu, as well as the Deputy Ministers of Finance; Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; and Trade and Industry.

The delegation also held meetings with some private sector associations including The World Trade Centre (WTC) Accra.

Mrs. Diana Battaggia, Head of UNIDO ITPO, at the meeting with WTC-Accra said the October programme will serve as a platform to promote investment opportunities to over 65 Italian companies in the areas of environment and energy.

She said four Italian companies have already visited Ghana for business purposes, and that since the visit various commercial agreements have begun to be discussed which are nearing final conclusion.

“The programme was necessary to develop an interactive corridor with Italy, whereby the two countries’ business communities could exchange crucial information, know-how, and technologies aimed at enhancing industrial productivity with a low foot-print on the environment and high social impact, and gender and youth inclusion in the industrial production chains,” Mrs. Battaggia said.

She said given the great excitement from the Italian counterparts, and as a result of the last official visit to Ghana of the Italian former Minister of Foreign Affairs, the decision has been made to engage numerous entrepreneurs who will take part in several promotional initiatives -- including participating in a forum on environment and energy technology, a trade fair, company visits, study tours and other business meetings.

She said: “The Lima Declaration in December 2013 called on UNIDO to strengthen its support for the efforts of countries toward achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development as a measure to eradicate poverty; to improve the life of the poor; and share prosperity with all those who have so far been excluded from a dignified human existence.

“Through this objective, Italy’s UNIDO ITPO supports its partnering countries to promote an industrial growth that is attractive to inclusiveness and environmental sustainability.”

Mrs. Battaggia added: “It is with this spirit that we are supporting in Ghana a green growth that sees the environment not as a burden but as an opportunity to be seized.”

Togbe Afede XIV, chairman of the World Trade Centre-Accra, said the October forum will showcase Ghana’s critical investment sectors, such as renewable energy and environment, at the exhibition to attract investors.

He said by its mandate, WTC-Accra implements innovative ways to expand business and helps Ghanaian businesses to establish or strengthen their international commercial capabilities.

“Becoming a member and developing a partnership with WTC-Accra will help you realise international sales expansions that would otherwise be unattainable,” he said.

He said WTC-Accra also offers a number of services to its members and the public at large, starting with trade education, trade missions, seminars, conferences, marketing opportunities and many others.

“It also pursues partnerships with a number of business associations and agencies such as the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GNCCI), Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre,” Togbe Afede said.