Mr. Stephen Antwi, President of the Ghanaian German Economic Association (GGEA), has asked government to set up datelines and timelines in all public sector organisations that interface with the private sector.
He said if an application for a permit or licence together with all the needed paperwork is submitted, that particular government institution or authority has to be bound by a certain mandated timeline within which the permit has to be approved and handed over to the applicant.
Mr. Antwi said this at the opening of this year?s GEREU Trade Fair organised by the GGEA in Accra yesterday. The three-day fair aims at providing participating exhibitors and visitors a one-stop-shop for all their technological needs.
He said his outfit utilises the fair as a catalyst and facilitator to expand the frontiers of trade and investment between Ghana, Germany and the European Union (EU).
?The GGEA totally supports and commends the stance of the Government of Ghana with respect to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU,? he said.
Mr. Antwi said the GGEA will always demonstrate its capacity as a service provider for companies, especially in the area of matchmaking and business promotion.
Thomas Wimmer, Charg? d?Affaires of the German Embassy, said trade between Europe and Ghana is growing faster today than ever before.
He said bilateral trade between Ghana and Germany has been growing by more than 17% a year — a rate well above Ghana?s impressive GDP growth rate.
?Ghana is very attractive for German companies. It is rich in commodities and has a growing and well-educated middle-class. The business environment is market-friendly,? he said.
He said the Ghanaian economy is hidden in the informal sector and not enough manufacturing occurs in the country, calling on government to invest heavily in this area of the economy.
Mr. Claude Maerten, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ghana, lauded the efforts of the GGEA in organising the trade fair for the fifth consecutive time in the country.
For the first time, GEREU has introduced the Technology Corridor and an Auto Care Centre.
The Technology Corridor is segmented into three sub-categories: namely Office Automation, Service Providers and Hardware and Accessories.
The purpose of the Auto Care Centre is to provide products and services ranging from insurance, after-sales service, leasing, hire-purchase and outright auto loans, as well as fuels and lubricants.
Participating companies include Silver Star Auto Limited, distributors of Mercedes Benz vehicles; Universal Motors, distributors of VW and Porsche brands of vehicles; Metropolitan Insurance; and UT Holdings.
The climax of the fair is the ICT Conference/KRIF Product Launch and the Nexans Forum to take place today at the Accra International Conference Centre.
Mr. Antwi and Thomas Wimmer listening attentively to an exhibitor
By Evans KORANTENG
