Ghana and South Africa have concluded a five-day strategic meeting aimed to deepening the existing cooperation and to facilitate increasing trade between the two countries. The discussions, which centred on trade, investment, tourism and mining were held under the framework of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation between the two countries. As a first step, the two countries agreed to collaborate in the harmonization of rules, regulations and standards for import and export of fauna and flora to South Africa. There was consensus on identification of gaps and transfer of skills and technology from South Africa to address existing gaps and assessment of export opportunities available in South Africa. Mr Edward Collins Boateng, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Promotion Council, who led the delegation told reporters in Accra that the two parties also agreed to enhance cooperation between various product associations to jointly access markets outside Africa and to explore the possibility of accessing the markets of countries in Southern Africa via South Africa. There would also be comparison of tariff regimes in both countries to identify potential areas for preferential arrangements within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement. According to Mr Boateng, Ghana's delegation stressed the importance of the agro-processing sector and called for the deepening of Ghana-South Africa ties in that regard. The Ghana side invited the South African side to take advantage of opportunities in the agri-business and agro-processing industry. Mr Boateng said the parties re-iterated the need for closer collaboration between their research institutions for industry-driven agricultural research and development and food irradiation technologies. Agreement was further reached on sharing of information and experiences between their horticultural associations and management of terminals as well as the establishment of joint chambers of commence. The two sides agreed on the exchange of information and experience with respect to tourism information packages such as brochures, CD Roms, in-flight magazines and folders for dissemination in both countries. It also agreed to encourage the cooperation in the promotion of tourism in each other's country through the establishment of linkages of official tourism websites of both countries. Source: GNA