The Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) is hoping to secure trade partnership deals and direct investment opportunities with Turkish businesses in the areas of agro-processing technology and technical skills transfer.
With Turkey’s economy being among the world’s leading producers of agricultural products, automotive and transportation equipment, the CAG says it is seeking to foster stronger trade relations among businesses from the two countries.
Chief Executive Officer of CAG, Anthony Morrison, explained that Turkey’s high technological capabilities are highly sought after by businesses and his outfit is exploring ways of tapping into the European country’s experience.
“In areas of industry, we are open to embracing a lot of Turkish companies. Government’s ‘One District-One factory’ (1D1F) projects create an enabling environment for agro-processing and industrialisation, so there are lots of opportunities for Turkish agro-processing companies to tap into our agro-processing industry and other value-addition ventures for a mutually beneficial trade relationship,” he added.
He added that agribusinesses operating in the poultry, livestock and wheat-bran industries stand to benefit if the two countries collaborate closely.
The Chamber CEO made these remarks when the executive team paid a courtesy call on the new Turkish Ambassador.
The visit was to officially introduce the Chamber to the Ambassador and discuss opportunities in Ghana’s agriculture sector, as well as collaborative strategies aimed at promoting and strengthening agribusiness trade between Ghana and Turkey.
The Ghana-Turkey diplomatic and economic relationship has gone from strength to strength over the years. Not only has the growing relationship led to several notable Turkish companies setting up in Ghana to provide crucial goods and services – as well as investing heavily in key sectors such as energy, shipping, construction and agriculture among others – but also provided much-needed employment for the teeming youth.
According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Turkey’s exports to Ghana at end of the year 2022 stood at US$421.23million while exports from Ghana were US$119million to Turkey. These figures, the Chamber noted, can be improved significantly through strategic partnerships and deliberate collaborative efforts.
The Chamber urged the Ambassador to design a more deliberate and strategic trade summit that is geared toward connecting and bringing together businesses and investors from both countries to promote and deepen trade between Ghana and Turkey.
On his part, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Hüseyin Güngör, reiterated the strong capacity his country holds in the areas of agriculture and technology – stressing that the team at the embassy will continue to work on partnerships with the government and private sector of Ghana.
He disclosed that arrangements are being made with the University of Ghana, School of Agriculture, to introduce a capacity-building programme for students in technology and agro-processing.
Mr. Güngör commended the Chamber for their visit, reiterating the importance of partnerships going forward.
