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The sixth session of the French-Ghanaian political consultations to find ways to increase Ghana's trade with France is under way in Accra.
The delegation of the French Embbady, composed of 14 members, was led by Mr André Parant, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, while the delegation of Ghana, composed of officials of ministries, agencies and key ministries, was led by Ambbadador Albert Yankey. , Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
Discussions on the preparations for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo's state visit to France in July are high on the agenda. Elections 2020 in Togo, Côte d 'Ivoire and Guinea.
Bilateral, economic and financial environment, including cooperation with the International Monetary Fund; Investment prospects and foreign investment; The protection agreement signed between the two countries in 1999 and Ghana beyond the aid will be examined during the session.
Others include areas of cooperation, the activities of the French Development Agency (AFD); Cooperation in French language; University cooperation (higher education and research); update on the opening of the new French embbady in Accra.
The dialogue will also address global issues, including cooperation on United Nations issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change; Migration, human and drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism, and applications.
Regional issues such as ECOWAS priorities and perspectives; The African Union, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea; security in the subregion, including G5 Sahel and Mali; security in Burkina Faso and Benin will also be discussed.
Ambbadador Yankey said earlier that the dialogue session would give both countries the opportunity to think of ways to increase the volume of trade between them. He added that Ghana's trade volume with France was very low and stressed the need to take concrete steps to boost trade between the two countries.
The volume of bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to more than 500 million euros in 2018. Ghana supplies mainly oil to France, as well as agricultural products and food products. It is now the fifth supplier of France in sub-Saharan Africa. France exports mainly metallurgical products, refined petroleum products, food products and engineering equipment.
The value of French foreign direct investment in Ghana in 2017 amounted to 9 million euros for a stock of 1.4 billion euros. Ghana is the seventh destination for French investors in sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr. Parant, for his part, said that more French companies were coming to Ghana because of the confidence and the attractiveness of the investments. He added that while these companies are trying to break even, their top priority is to create jobs and contribute to the growth of Ghana's economy.
Mr Parant therefore declared that France was ready to work with Ghana and to help in the field of industrialization. He also praised the government's policy on free high school, which he said would facilitate integration into the ECOWAS region.
Mr. Parant also added that it was necessary to find ways to increase the volume of trade between the two, stating: "Currently, trade between the two countries is very limited." He said France would hold a trade summit this year. I hope that after the participation of Ghana, the trend will improve.
There are currently more than 70 French companies located in the country in a wide range of sectors, including 60 as subsidiaries and 15 as their own.
This includes agriculture, banking, insurance, construction, logistics, oil and gas, the hotel and restaurant industry. The activity of French companies in Ghana has contributed to the creation of about 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ghana was inaugurated in 2014 and brings together 140 French and Ghanaian companies to support and strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations.
With regard to development, the Agency since its creation in Ghana in 1985, participates in projects in the fields of agriculture, urban development and energy.
The agency is involved in various projects such as the development of perennial crops (rubber and oil palm), the modernization of the Kpong dam and the financing of GRIDCO's investment plans. Its subsidiary PROPARCO offers loans and private shares to private companies.
The fifth session was held in France last year.
Source: GNA
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