Herbert Krapa
Ghana is set to take advantage of this year’s exposition in Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) to revive investments in its economy and at the same time, help restore economic growth as the country emerges from the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dubbed “Dubai Expo 2020”, the exhibition event is projected to bring together approximately 192 countries and is expected to draw between 25 to 30 million visitors, making it the largest international gathering of its kind in the UAE and the history of expositions.
The Expo, if not for the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was originally scheduled to be held from 20th October 2020 to April 10th, 2021. However, with countries easing restrictions and with activities gradually returning to normalcy, the event has been postponed and rescheduled to start from 1st October 2021 to 31st March, 2022.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Accra on Monday, 27 September 2021, on the country’s preparedness towards the Expo, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Herbert Krapa said it provides Ghana with a golden opportunity to showcase the country’s trade potentials, investment opportunities and tourist destinations on a global stage.
“Ghana’s participation in the Expo is intended to underscore government’s industrial transformation agenda, promote private sector businesses, and showcase our investment opportunities to attract investment into critical sectors of the economy, such as energy, trade, water and sanitation, environment, agriculture, education and tourism.
“It will also offer us an opportunity to display our rich cultural heritage, promote value addition to our abundant raw materials and highlight our friendly business climate,” he added.
He said as part of Ghana’s exhibition content is a 200 meter-square pavilion segmented into Business Cluster, Culture Cluster and Ghana Report Zone that presents a brief overview of Ghana’s vision and plan for the future, its stable, mutual-value approach to investment, reputation as the “gateway to Africa” and commitment to a future driven by business and growth.
These Clusters, he explained presents opportunities in trade and investment, banking and finance, infrastructure and telecommunications technology, mining, oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, textiles and garments, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, education, property, and real estate that investors can tap into.
Ghana’s participation themed, “Ghana: Limitless Opportunities” seeks to showcase the numerous investment opportunities in the various sectors of the Ghanaian economy for sustainable development.
For his part, CEO of the Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC), Yoofi Grant said for Ghana to rip the benefits of the Expo, government has earmarked key business-related activities to be undertaken as part of Ghana’s participation in the event.
He said the Planning Committee has put together a Ghana Business and Investment Forum where various investors will meet to explore areas in the Ghanaian economy that they can direct their investments towards.
Additionally, he indicated that there will be monthly presentations by experts on investment opportunities in Sanitation and Environment, Food and Agriculture, Energy, Education, Tourism, Culture and Arts, Lands and Natural Resources noting that the presentations will center on opportunities for food, agriculture and livelihood, travel and connectivity, and opportunities in knowledge and learning.
