Ghana,UAE trade volume hits $2.4bn

The volume of trade between Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) crossed $2.4 billion at the end of 2016.

In the same period under review, UAE investments in Ghana reached nearly $2.4 billion from 60 UAE companies.

This included two direct flights to and from the two countries via Emirates Airline.

The UAE Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Khalifa Yousif Alzaabi, announced this at a reception in Accra to commemorate UAE’s 46th National Day.

Present at the ceremony were the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Minister for Planning, Prof. Gyan Baffour, other ministers, representatives from various missions and the UAE community in Ghana.

The UAE, consisting of seven emirates, was founded on December 2, 1971. Six of the emirates, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah came together on that date, with Ras Al Khaimah, joining in 1972.

Read Also: Northern Region: Gunmen kill four at Nanjon, injure scores

Partnership

Hailing the partnership between Ghana and UAE, which started in 1990, Mr Alzaabi said it was built on the principles of cooperation and mutual respect and continues to thrive on these same values.

He said the ever-growing volume of commercial, economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries was an indication of this partnership and called for its sustenance.

Ambassador Alzaabi said UAE’s Vision 2021 had charted the next stage of the country’s progressive journey towards achieving , among others, a cohesive and identity-based society, a first-rate education system, a world-class healthcare, a competitive economy and a fair judiciary system.

He paid tribute to the forbearers of his country and praised them for their wise leadership which had helped the country accomplish its political, economic, social and cultural achievements.

Ghana’s role

In his remarks, Prof. Baffour said though trade relations had increased between the two countries, more needed to be done to achieve the desired results.

He, therefore, urged the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the business community of UAE to explore opportunities for investments widely available in Ghana.
Prof. Baffour said such opportunities existed in agriculture, energy and mines, tourism, petroleum and gas; education and called for partnership between the UEA business community and Ghanaian companies.

The partnership, he said, should lead to the establishment of companies to support government’s initiatives such as the One-district, One-factory, One- village, One-dam and the Planting for Food and Jobs.

He thanked UAE for its contribution to the country’s development and pledged Ghana’s commitment to collaborate with it towards the attainment of international peace and socio-economic and political development.