A delegation from the Japanese private sector has paid a working visit to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as part of a wider programme to understand Ghana’s trade and investment climate and explore potential collaborations.
The Japanese visited under the auspices of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and comprised members of Japan’s automobile, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, finance and insurance industries, among others.
They were accompanied by officials from the Ghana Free Zones Authority and Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, which are critical institutions as far as trade and investments in Ghana is concerned.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Executive Vice-President-Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Kazuya Nakajo, said the automobile industry and its ancillary sectors in particular are interested in understanding the logistics and transportation connectivity within the West Coast of Africa, which explains their visit to the port.
The delegation was introduced to the services rendered at ports in Ghana, with particular emphasis placed on developmental projects that are positioning the ports as leading trade and logistics hubs of West and Central Africa.
According to Nana Esi Soderberg, Deputy Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager at the GPHA Headquarters, Ghana’s ports not only provide a gateway to Ghana’s market but have also been strategically positioned to serve the landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Additionally, due to the world-class container terminal at Port Tema, Ghana has become a preferred destination for transhipment of cargo destined for other coastal nations within the region.
Chairing the meeting, Harbour Master at the Port of Tema, Captain Francis Kwesi Micah, emphasised that Port Tema “can work out the magic” for the Japanese as far as logistics is concerned.
The Japanese delegation were informed about the benefits of using Ghana’s Free zones for business.
The Director at the Tema Export Processing Zone of the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Patience Ableze Acorlor, indicated the Authority is able to expedite start-up processes for foreign businesses with little bureaucracy, among other benefits.
She emphasised, however, that the companies established within the free zones need to export at least 70% of what is produced – as well as add value to what is being produced.
“You cannot export raw products from Ghana to Japan under the free zones. You can take land and set up your companies so it can be designated as a free zones area; or you can go into manufacturing for exports, or you can go into services such as I.T.; or you can be a commercial company, bring the goods in bulk, break the bulk in Ghana and export to the other African countries,” she added.
