Economy must benefit from Bursa’s US$25bn annual export production

 …Ya-Na as he woos Turkish investors

By Amadu Kamil SANAH

The paramount Chief of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has underscored the importance of Ghana becoming a core beneficiary of Bursa city’s US$25billion annual export production.

He said Ghana has the capability to feed most of Bursa’s vibrant production companies with raw materials at competitive price to enhance their production for mutual benefits between Ghana and Turkey.

The Ya-Na was speaking during a meeting with the leadership of Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Chamber’s headquarters in  the city of Bursa, Turkey.

The meeting was part of the Ya-Na’s 10-day visit to Turkey.

The Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry is located in the ancient capital of the Ottoman empire.

It was established in 1889 and currently has a US$25billion annual export production capacity. It is an industrial hub of Turkey with a vibrant network of companies exporting to over 200 countries.

The Ya-Na asked members of the Chamber to consider Ghana as an important partner and source of raw materials for investment.

According to him, Ghana is a preferred destination for investment in Africa – citing the country’s stable democracy, free press and independent judiciary among its attractions.

He said aside from Ghana’s traditional export commodities, the country has launched a US$60billion petrochemicals industry with investment opportunities in refinery, storage tanks, port infrastructure and jetties.

The Dagbon king said Turkish companies can also have access to cashew, soya beans, sheabutter, sheanuts and sesame for production.

He indicated that northern Ghana is blessed with abundant water and arable land, with potential to develop about 540,000 hectares of irrigable land for agricultural production.

The Ya-Na told the Chamber that, being a farmer himself all his life, he knows Ghana can help Bursa’s companies in raw materials production for mutual benefit if the two countries work together.

He said that besides its advantages in agriculture and solar energy, northern Ghana has 11 dam sites suitable for hydro-power production with a capacity to generate about 550MW of power, adding that: “Turkish investors should see Ghana as an important partner for trade and investment”.

Responding to the Ya-Na, Vice President of the Chamber, Cuneyt Sener, welcomed His Majesty’s visit to the Chamber – describing it as a landmark visit, the first of its kind by a reigning monarch since the Chamber’s inception over 130 years ago.

Mr. Sener said the Chamber is a very strong player in the automobile, textiles, manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

He described Ghana as a productive country with vast potential for business growth.

The Chamber’s Vice President pledged its commitment to sending a trade and investment delegation to Ghana soon to assess advantages and opportunities in the country.

He commended the Ya-Na for his ideas on agricultural transformation in Ghana.

Mr. Sener urged the Ya-Na and his delegation to prepare a comprehensive investment factsheet for analysis and sharing among the Chamber’s members.

He said Bursa Chamber of Commerce members will be more than happy to not only invest in Ghana but also share their experiences with local Ghanaian companies in manufacturing for national accelerated development.

The Ya-Na was accompanied by his Foreign Relations Advisor, Dalun Lana Tapha Mahamadu III;  Sakpe Naa Alabira,  Secretary to the Ya-Na; Alhaji Abdul Rahman Mohammed; and Public Relations Officer at the Gbewaa palace, Mr. Musah Yakubu.

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