The Consul of Indonesia in Ghana, Paskal A. B. Rois, has paid a courtesy call on the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, at her residence in Accra.

The visit was part of efforts at deepening the bond of friendship and diplomatic ties between Ghana, Indonesia and Britain as well as to promote tourism and bilateral trade among the three countries.

A release from the Indonesian Consulate in Accra said both leaders also shared a lot of opportunities that are available to the three countries for exploration.

Business potential

According to the release, Mr Rois informed Ms Thompson that Ghana had over the years improved and increased her trade with Indonesia, the South East Asian country with a population of more than 270 million people.

The Indonesian Consul in Ghana said many Ghanaians were getting to know about Indonesia and her potential which could be found in areas such as agriculture, mining, petroleum, commerce, industry, tourism and trade.

Mr Rois noted that a number of Indonesian companies were working in Ghana, producing popular food and other items such as Indomi Noodles, Viking Cooking Oil, Soklin, Medisoft and other soaps and detergents as well as Santex hand wash or sanitisers among others.

A year in office

Sharing with the British High Commissioner some of his success stories since assuming office a year ago, the Indonesian Honorary Consul to Ghana said he had been able to initiate the Indonesia-Africa Trade Mission which was aimed at deepening bi-lateral trade and relationship between the peoples of the Africa and Indonesia.

He said the ultimate objective was to increase trade volumes between Ghana and Indonesia and Africa, for that matter.

Mr Rois added that Indonesia had given fully-funded scholarships to a number of Ghanaians to pursue various courses in Indonesia’s topmost tertiary institutions.

He disclosed that about 10 Ghanaians were currently undertaking Doctorate of Philosophy Degrees in Indonesia.

According to the Honorary Consul, those programmes were partially funded by the Indonesian government, adding that five of such beneficiaries left Ghana in July, this year for Indonesia to defend their thesis, with the remaining five also preparing to do same later.

He said cultural exchange programmes were also underway between the two states to explore more areas of cooperation for the benefit of both countries.

Mr Paskal A. B. Rois who also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rig Oil International Services (ROIS) Limited, a subsidiary of Rois Group of Companies Limited, shared with the High Commissioner how his company had won a contract with some companies in the oil and gas space including MODEC Production Services Ghana JV Limited, Yinson West Africa Production Limited, Tullow Oil Ghana Limited etc to render services.

Because most of these supplies would be coming from the United Kingdom, the Honorary Consul used the opportunity to appeal to the High Commissioner to assist ROIS Limited and other companies in the oil and gas industry to partner and deepen trade relationships with British companies operating in the oil and gas space for collaborations.

For Indonesia, Mr Rois noted that the South East Asian country produced one of the best vegetable oils in the world, adding that the country could also boast of clothing and batik potential.

He explained that while Ghana was doing well in African batik, the country could do better if she learned more from other best practices around the world particularly the expertise in Indonesia.

Mr Rois pledged to facilitate any such moves between the two countries.

Commitment

For her part, Ms Thompson congratulated Mr Rois on his appointment and achievements in the current diplomatic space.

She pledged the commitment of the High Commission in supporting Ghanaian businesses and individuals to expand and flourish.

According to her, Ghana was a peaceful and beautiful place to live in, adding that the features of the country’s hospitality were worthy of emulation by many countries, saying her tour of the country, including recently to the Volta Region, attested to those facts.

Ms Thompson also expressed excitement about the intention of ROIS Limited and other companies to partner with their British company contemporaries in the oil and gas sector and pledged her readiness to link ROIS Ltd to the Trade Department within the United Kingdom (UK) Embassy towards the realization of such laudable business partnership.

Touching on education in Great Britain in relation to that in the developing world, Ms Thompson noted that the UK had a strong educational system that could be emulated by all, including Ghanaians, Indonesians, and other citizens for their benefit.

She welcomed any form of educational collaboration from Ghana and Indonesia, saying her outfit would be ever willing to assist where necessary in the realization of such objectives.