Ghana would establish a Trade Centre in Lome next year to facilitate annual exhibition of made in Ghana goods and to showcase the products to neighbouring French-speaking African countries. In view of this, the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) together with the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry are expected to collaborate to establish permanent structures to facilitate a one-stop shop for Ghanaian products. Mr John Maxwell Kwadjo, Ghana Ambassador to Togo announced on Friday at the Ghana Day Business and Investment Forum, organised as part of the on-going 10th Togo International Fair held in the country's capital city, Lome. He observed that the fair was critical for regional integration stressing that it provided the platform for entrepreneurs in the sub-region to showcase their products and services as well as to encourage intra-community trade relations. Mr Kwadjo said "apart from fostering large scale capital investments and enhancing economic efficiency, intra-regional trade provides a useful platform for improving competitiveness of national enterprises before exposing them to global competition". He expressed optimism that the exhibitors would contribute towards showcasing Ghana's economic potentials, investment opportunities, strengthen institutional relations and promote the country's cultural and tourism attractions to the participating countries. Mr Kwadjo expressed gratitude to the Togolese government for the support and for setting the day aside to honour Ghana as their major cherished trade partner. The Ghana Day and Investment Forum is to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. There were other presentations made by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, the Export Development and Agricultural Investment Fund, Ghana Export Promotion Authority and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ghana, which is one of the 10 African and Latin American countries participating in the fair, is represented by 31 exhibitors. Mr Stephen K. Normeshie, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) said that Togo had become Ghana's biggest export market for Non-Traditional Exports (NTEs) in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region. He added that revenue generated in 2011 for NTEs to Togo alone was about 180 million dollars. The NTEs included palm oil, soap, aluminium, plastic products, creams and other medicinal goods. The fair, which began on November 23, has drawn thousands of visitors to the exhibition grounds including Mrs Bernadette Essossinma Legzim-Balouki, Togolese Minister of Trade and the Promotion of the Private Sector. She observed that trade relations between Togo and Ghana "had grown from strength to strength". She urged the exhibitors to engage their Togolese counterparts to establish good contacts for their businesses. Ghana’s participation in the fair will officially end on December 4, to enable the exhibitors to return home to exercise their franchise in the December 7 general election.