• Caribbean-West Africa Trade mission to Ghana aimed at fostering collaboration and exploring trade opportunities between Ghana and the Caribbean.
• MoUs signed between Caribbean Export and key Ghanaian organizations to enhance collaboration and trade relations.
• Government officials, business leaders, and trade experts engaged in networking and business-to-business meetings to facilitate connections and exchange ideas for mutual growth.

Last Tuesday, June 6, 2023, witnessed a significant gathering of government officials, business leaders, and trade experts at the first leg of the Caribbean-West Africa Trade mission to Ghana.

Hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), the mission aimed to foster collaboration and explore emerging areas for trade and investment opportunities between Ghana and the Caribbean.

The opening session welcomed the Hon. Stephen Amoah, theDeputy Minister of Trade from the Government of Ghana, who delivered remarks,expressing the government’s commitment to fostering trade relations with theCaribbean.

Benjamin Dzoboku, Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana PLC, and Mr Gerald Nsomba, Specialist Trade and Corporate Finance with AfriExim Bank, also shared their perspectives on the significance of the Ghana-Caribbean partnership and their efforts to support SME development along with trade and business opportunities between the regions.

The signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) took place between Caribbean Export and prominent Ghanaian organizations, including the Private Enterprise Federation, Ghana Union of Traders Association, and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI).

These MoUs aim to fostercloser collaboration and enhance trade relations between the Caribbean andGhana, exploring potential partnerships for joint activities and facilitate businessesin key sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture technology and ICT.

Mr Deodat Maharaj, Executive Director of Caribbean Export,speaking at the event emphasized the importance of forging strong partnershipsand highlighted the potential for economic growth through collaboration betweenGhana and the Caribbean. 

“The decision to mount this mission to Ghana was in line withBarbados’ commitment to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Ghana andthe continent of Africa, particularly in relation to the green and orangeeconomies” he shared.

Furthermore, Hon Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama from the Government of the Bahamas, and Hon. Sandra Husbands, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Business Development, added their voices to the conversation, emphasizing the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between Ghana and the Caribbean.

Mr Clement Osei-Amoako, President of GNCCI, speaking at thesigning ceremony said it was only through trade that the private sector couldharness their full potential and grow together with the Caribbean given thesimilarities they share.

“So, I see this as an opportunity for us to see ourcounterparts from the Caribbean and trade with them” he added.

Following the signing ceremony, participants had the opportunity tonetwork and engage in business-to-business meetings which provided a conduciveenvironment for fostering concrete connections and exchanging ideas.

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About Caribbean Export

Caribbean Export is the regional trade and investment promotion agency focused on accelerating the economic transformation of the Caribbean.  We work closely with businesses to increase exports, attract investment, and contribute towards the creation of jobs to build a resilient Caribbean.  We are currently executing the Regional Private Sector Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).