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Gbeze Patience, RNG
Accra, May 28, GNA – Sixth Session
Franco-Ghanaian political consultations to find ways to increase Ghana's trade
with France is underway in Accra.
The French delegation of 14 members
The Embbady was led by Mr. André Parant, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of
for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France, while the Ghana delegation composed of
Heads of some key ministries, departments and agencies were led by the ambbadador
Albert Yankey, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Regional integration.
At the top of the agenda, we talk about
Preparations for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo's State Visit to
France in July; Elections 2020 in Togo, Côte d 'Ivoire and Guinea.
Bilateral, Economic and Financial
Environment, including cooperation with the International Monetary Fund; Investment
Outlook and foreign investment; Protection Agreement signed between
two countries in 1999, and Ghana beyond aid will be discussed during the
session.
Others include areas of cooperation,
activities of the French Development Agency (AFD); French language
Cooperation; University cooperation (higher education and research); update on
the opening of the new French Embbady in Accra.
The dialogue will also focus on globalization
including cooperation in the field of the United Nations, including sustainable development.
Development goals and climate change; Migration, trafficking in human beings and drugs,
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, earlier, said the
A dialogue session would give both countries an opportunity to reflect on
ways to increase the volume of trade between the two.
He added that the volume of trade in Ghana
France was very low and stressed the need to propose concrete measures to
stimulate trade between the two countries.
The volume of bilateral trade between the two
country was more than 500 million euros in 2018.
Ghana supplies mainly oil to France and
also agricultural and food products. It is now the fifth largest supplier in sub-Saharan Africa
Africa for France. France exports mainly metallurgical products, refined
petroleum products, food products and technical equipment.
The value of French direct foreigners
Investments in Ghana in 2017 amounted to nine million euros for a stock of 1.4
billion euros. Ghana is ranked seventh destination in sub-Saharan Africa
for French investors.
Mr. Parant, for his part, declared more French
companies came to establish business in Ghana because of the investment
trust and attraction.
He said that if these companies were
at the breakeven point, their priority was to create jobs and contribute to
Ghana's economy.
He therefore expressed the preparation of France
work with Ghana and badist in the field of industrialization.
He also welcomed the government's policy on
Free High School, which, he said, would facilitate integration into the
ECOWAS region.
Mr. Parant also added his voice on the need
find ways to increase the volume of trade between the two, saying, "Currently,
trade between the two countries is very limited.
He said France would organize a trade
this year and expressed the hope that after the participation of Ghana, the
the trend would improve.
There are currently more than 70 French
established in the country in a wide range of sectors, including 60
as subsidiaries and 15 as their own.
This includes agriculture, banks,
insurance, construction, logistics, oil and gas, hotels and restaurants.
The activity of French companies in Ghana
has contributed to the creation of approximately 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
French Chamber of Commerce and Industry
in Ghana was inaugurated in 2014 and brings together 140 French and Ghanaian
enterprises with the aim of supporting and strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations
relationships.
On the development side, AFD since its
established in Ghana from 1985, participates in projects in the agricultural sector
sector, urban development and energy.
The agency is part of various projects such as
development of perennial crops (rubber and oil palm), the modernization of
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.
GNA
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