AGI advances industrial cooperation with China's Zaozhuang Chamber of Commerce and Industries

The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has embarked on an industrial mission to Zaozhuang in China to explore more industrial opportunities within the Shandong Province.

The mission was led by Dr. Yaw Adu Gyamfi, President of the AGI, and Dr. James Asare-Adjei, Immediate Past President, and Mr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, Vice President of the AGI.

The mission was organised by the AGI office in China in collaboration with Zaozhuang Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

The first leg of the industrial journey was a conference in Zaozhuang and was graced by the Deputy Mayor of Zaouzhuang Municipal People’s Government, Mr. Zhou Zongan and chaired by the Chairman of Zaozhuang Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr. Zhang Zuegong.

Mr. Zuegong, Chairman for the Zaozhuang Chamber of Commerce and Industries welcomed the delegation and expressed the Chamber's enthusiasm to cooperate with the Association of Ghana Industries because they had followed the industrial development of Ghana recently and that the policies regarding the One District One Factory are appetizing. Therefore, they are ready to connect with Ghanaian industries to advance the country's industrialisation drive.

He indicated that the Zaozhuang Chamber of Commerce and Industries is interested in partnering AGI to establish an industrial park in Ghana exclusively for Zaozhuang industries to operate there.

He further noted that the Zaozhuang vocational university is well known as a master of vocational training in various spheres of industries and particularly in the areas of agriculture, engineering, manufacturing technology and related subjects.

According to him, they want to cooperate with AGI so that members can enrol for short courses and degree programmes.

For his part, Dr. Adu Gyamfi expressed his utmost gratitude for the warm welcome offered the delegation and pointed out that Ghana is poised to do business in China, especially the Shandong Province business community due to the behemoth industrial entities dotted in all the areas.

"Our coming here is the first step of dating and courting to prepare for an ultimate industrial marriage with the chamber.

"Mr. Chairman, your opening statement perfectly fits into my vision for AGI, because when I assumed office, my first statement and plan was to take AGI to global level after 60 years anniversary, because the world has become global village as the internet has brought all of us together so we cannot remain in the little corner of Ghana.

"Also, I promise the Association I am going to create capacity enhancement platforms and systems to hone the skills of members and so we accept this proposal in good faith."

The Deputy Mayor of Zaozhuang Municipal People's Government, Mr. Zhou Zongan also welcomed the delegation and indicated that the visit was a remarkable one because it fitted into the strategic plan of China and Zaozhuang, in particular, to spread investment to the world through the Belt and Road Initiative of the government.

He said his office was prepared to open the industrial and economic doors of Zaozhuang to Ghana.

"Ghana is always notable and fresh in our memories because of the endowment of special products for Chinese - gold and chocolate and we are blessed to connect through AGI...and I am opening the economic and industrial doors for you and your team."

The programme continued with a business session - B2B meeting - where about fifty giant companies in Zaozhuang came to present their business profiles to the delegation.

After the session, the team went on an industrial tour to about twelve manufacturing companies dealing in such products as aluminium, tyres, furniture, automobile, robotic, pharmaceutical, tractor and heavy equipment.