WTC Accra and Miami collaborate to promote trade

April 17, 2018

As part of the WTCA’s objective of stimulating trade and investment among its members, WTC Accra is partnering WTC Miami to promote two-way trade between Ghana and USA. In view of this, Mrs. Kemi Arosanyin, Director of Africa Trade Expansion of the World Trade Center Miami paid a visit to WTC Accra on 14th March, 2018.

Mrs. Kemi disclosed that the World Trade Center Miami (WTCM) has developed an Africa Trade Expansion Program to specifically assist African governments tackle some of the crucial issues facing the continent on trade and investment.

In explaining details of the initiative to officials of WTC Accra, Mrs. Kemi indicated that the Africa Trade Expansion Program is a specialized “Export Development Program” which offers a combination of trade assistance services and market access to the Americas. It focuses on helping African small businesses in 3 main sectors (Food and Beverage, Textile and Fashion, Arts and Crafts) increase exports and integrate globally. To this end companies selected by the government will be trained in the areas of Product Profiling and Export Readiness Examination, Market Research and Market Intelligence, Trade Consulting and Export Seminars, Buyers Matchmaking and Market Penetration Strategies.

The Managing Director of WTC Accra indicated that through the programme, the two WTCs will be helping to address the long standing issue of Ghana’s inability to adequately benefit from the opportunities presented under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). He disclosed that the programme has come at an opportune time since besides the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), skills acquired by exporters can also be applied to access other markets such as the African Union Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).

As part of Mrs. Kemi’s visit, a meeting was subsequently held with the CEO of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ms. Gifty Klenam and the Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Padi Adjirakor. A presentation was made on the programme which was accepted by the two government institutions. The Chief Director of the Ministry of Trade and Industry agreed to work together with the WTC Accra to ensure that Ghana signs onto the programme. The Director of Africa Trade Expansion used the occasion to invite a delegation from Ghana to attend the 22nd Americas Food & Beverage Show and Conference in Miami on October 1-2, 2018.

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