A top-level delegation from the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia has paid a courtesy call on the businesses community in Ghana ahead of the Africa International Conference on Trade and Finance.

The conference in Ethiopia seeks to enhance intra-Africa trade, strengthen regional integration, and promote trade liberalisation across the African continent.

The two-day program scheduled for April 11 and 12 at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, would attract business entities, executives, policy makers and experts from the sub-Saharan Africa.

The delegation made up of the president (President of the Addis Chamber Mrs Mesenbert Shenkute), the Secretary-General (Mr Getachew Regassa) and his deputy (Mr Shibeshi) and the CEO of Rescue Shipping & GITFIC paid a courtesy call on the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA).

It was led by the Ethiopian Ambassador His Excellency, Kefale Regassa Ere.

The courtesy call was to familiarize with the Port Authorities for a first-hand briefing on the Port Operations especially now that Ethiopia seeks to up its trade relationship with Ghana.

The visit was also to confirm the Director General's participation in the upcoming Conference on Trade and Finance.

Director General of the GPHA, Michael Luguje, congratulated the organizers of the conference for the apt initiative they undertake each year.

He emphasized on the operational vision of GPHA and assured of GPHA's readiness to do business with Ethiopia.

M Luguje further confirmed the full participation at the conference, “Expect a full delegation and support from the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authorities, “.

The delegation was taken around the port to see the 18 berths.

The visiting delegation also paid courtesy calls on the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry in charge of Trade, the MD of the Ghana Stock Exchange, the Director of Shippers of Ghana Shippers Authority and a factory visit to three of Jospong's factories.

The Ghana Stock Exchange pledged commitment to attend the conference to share their vast experience to the business community in Ethiopia and also to assist their regulators.

This was disclosed at a meeting hosted by Deputy Minister for Trade and Industries in charge of Trade; Carlos Ahenkorah.

The minister pledged his support and proposed to assist the conference anyway the ministry can to help to achieve its objectives. 

The Ethiopian Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Kefale Regassa Ere, and the delegation from the Addis Chamber were equally grateful for his assurances.

Apparently, Ethiopia helped Ghana to set up the Commodity Exchange but the irony is that Ethiopia is now in the process of establishing its Stock Exchange.

The team also paid a courtesy call on the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), visited the ACARP Compost plant and the Sewage Processing Plant of the Jospong Group of Companies.

The group commended Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong for his Green Revolution projects on the Africa Continent and officially invited Jospong to come and do business in Ethiopia.

Jospong Group has strongly expressed interest to do business in Ethiopia and he has also confirmed his participation at this year's conference as Speaker.

Ghana International Conference on Trade and Finance (GITIC) is partnering with the Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and the Ethiopian Embassy in Ghana to organize the conference in Addis.

Chief Executive Officer of GITIC, Selasi Koffi Ackom, explained that the two-day conference would provide a platform for industry players to present realistic solutions to trade, investment, and funding opportunities.

He assured that trade policies and practices, in general, would be reformed to enhance feasible trends in businesses.

Local businesses including Adonko Bitters will also be part of the conference to explore the Ethiopian market with over 105 million population.

Entranced Pharmaceutical has also expressed interest to do business in Ethiopia.

Organisers will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kessben Travel and Tours limited to coordinate the business community from Kumasi to the conference.