Huge prospects for SMEs in Ghana: Williams

Anand Choudhary | 30 Aug, 2008
Ghana which is considered the gateway to West Africa is a country that holds huge prospects for trade and investments especially for Indian investors in the large as well as Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector. This was disclosed by High Commissioner of Ghana Mr. J. Bentum-Williams in an exclusive interview to SME Times Correspondent Anand Choudhary.

Excerpts of the interview...

SME Times: Sir, it's a pleasure to have you with me...

What does Ghana hold for the Indian Investors?
J. Bentum-Williams: Ghana holds immense prospects for investments in all the sectors. Besides we are providing all the necessary assistance to companies willing to come to Ghana.

What kind of assistance you are willing to provide and how? Can you be a little more specific?
J. Bentum-Williams: OK, for example Punjabi farmers should come to Ghana, buy land their and do farming. Then export the products to parts of Europe. It will bring huge profits to them.

But what kind of help you can provide to the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) willing to establish their branches in Ghana and export their products?
J. Bentum-Williams: We will provide full assistance to each and every Indian businessmen and farmers eager to come to Ghana for export or any kind of joint venture.

Which are the sectors in which you are expecting investments from SMEs?
J. Bentum-Williams: It's their choice which are the areas they wish to invest in. It can be Agriculture, Flori culture, Leather, Auto Components, IT training, infrastructure or others.

According to you how can we increase more people to people contact?
J. Bentum-Williams: By meeting more frequently. Having more joint summits, Indo-African conclaves and more meetings of businessmen from both sides.

How can the Ghanan government help in this?
J. Bentum-Williams: Governments talk of policy matters. It's for the trade associations to meet and establish contacts between businessmen from both the countries.

How far the trade associations have succeeded in this endeavor?
J. Bentum-Williams: I think they have really been successful in this. Look at the number of businessmen attending the conference both from India and the African countries. It's great.

What does the future hold for trade relations between India and Ghana?
J. Bentum-Williams: I believe it holds great prospects for businessmen from both the sides doing business that's beneficial for both the countries. As the markets in India and Ghana are big, holding lots of potential for growth.

So, the future seems to be quite bright as far as the trade relations not only between India and Ghana but the rest of the African countries are concerned?
J. Bentum-Williams: Yes.

SME Times: Thank you very much Sir, for your time. It was a pleasure talking to you.