Automobile companies urged to build local plants

Deputy Minister of Transport, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, has charged automobile companies who sell their products on the Ghanaian market to take steps toward building automobile assembling plants in the country, in a bid to create jobs for people and cut the import bill.

 

Mrs. Mogtari made the declaration as the special Guest of Honour at the Toyota Forklift launch held in Accra by CFAO Equipment Ghana, the sole agent for distributing the equipment in Ghana.

She commended Toyota and CFAO for their efforts in contributing to the transport sector, stressing however that: “Beyond bringing and launching equipment, we want an equal opportunity for our young people to share in your knowledge, to create jobs for them and to re-energise our industrial sector.

“I therefore entreat companies like Toyota to not just launch their products, but also develop their plants here; which would make the equipment much cheaper and more readily available for us.”

The unveiled Toyota Forklift comes with some unique features, aside from its relatively cheaper cost and low fuel consumption compared to other brands on the market. Other features include its automatic fork-levelling control, compact body, small turning radius for easy handling, and an ultra-modern LED flashlight.

In an interview with the B&FT, Managing Director-CFAO Equipment Ghana, Michel-Olivier Louis, indicated that finance is a major issue in Ghana due to challenges of the economy in recent times.

As such, he noted that CFAO with some partnerships is able to propose a solution for acquisition of the machine, be it purchase or rental, which can be done on credit basis -- and urged prospective customers to consider patronising the machine based on its quality and cost.

For Yoshio Ishii, Toyota Forklift Group Manager-Africa, the company is deeply committed to providing quality products and services for its consumers, and by introducing the forklift hopes to improve the agricultural, industrial and manufacturing industries in the country so as to “together, nurture our relationship based on mutual benefit for growth of the Ghanaian economy” he said.source:B&FT