Ghana and Austria are exploring ways to deepen cooperation between the two countries, especially with the private sector. To this end, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, have put forward their respective trade and investment proposals at the opening of the Ghana-Austria Business Summit in Accra.
Addressing participants at the Summit Vice President Bawumia said Ghana is looking for strategic partnerships that will see the establishment of industries and infrastructure for mutual benefits. He said the country has the most friendly business environment that will propel growth, stressing that Ghana and, for that matter, Africa has a lot to offer investors.
The Ghana-Austrian Business Summit is aimed at expanding trade, particularly in renewable energy, waste management, and environmental technologies. Vice President Bawumia said, ”Ghana stands in readiness to receive trade and investment from the Austrian Business delegation.”
He said the timing of the business summit is auspicious, as Ghana, like many other countries, has experienced the devastating effects of the global economic crisis.
He was optimistic about fruitful discussions that will see a renewed partnership between the two countries.
The Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer is in Ghana as part of a four-day tour of Africa. He will also make stops in Angola and Egypt. Mr. Nehammer is accompanied by a high-ranking business delegation led by Austrian Minister for Agriculture Norbert Totschnig.
Chancellor Nehammer’s visit aims at enhancing economic, energy, and raw material issues with the goal of finding mutually beneficial solutions that create prospects for the people of Africa. Mr. Nehammer said Austria wants to build a partnership of equals with Ghana for mutual benefit of the two countries.
A 30-million-euro Memorandum Of Understanding was initiated between Finance and Industrial Machinery Africa of Austria and the JOSPONG Group of companies for the cultivation and production of rice in Ghana.
