The Turkish Electrical and Electronics Exporters’ Association (TET) in partnership with Firmus Advisory, a wholly owned Ghanaian business consulting firm, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) have held a business meeting between Turkish and Ghanaian players to advance their mutual interest.
Held at the Tang Palace Hotel in Accra on Wednesday November 28, Murat Bugra Karamis with the Turkish Embassy as counsellor extolled the business virtues of Ghana adding the Business 2 Business (B2B) Meetings enable Turkish businesses that have no idea about Ghana to visit the country and interact with Ghanaian business owners in areas of mutual interest.
He said the partnership also helps Ghanaian business owners to export and also source their products from trusted sources in Turkey enabling wealth to be created on both sides.
For Dr. Guven Uckan, President, Electrical and Electronics Exporters Association of Turkey (TET), 11 Turkish companies are on this trip looking to have footholds in Ghana adding the delegation has folks who deal in electric and electronic appliances.
He also mentioned that the association which has 6000 members recorded US$11 billion worth of exports but seek new business opportunities.
“Turkey’s major trade partner is the European Union (EC) and Turkey is a leading supplier for years,” he submitted.
“Turkey recorded US$352 billion worth of exports last year but that’s below expectation. We seek cooperation between Ghana and Turkey,” he added.
Director, Investor Services at the GIPC; Edward Ashong-Lartey, observed Ghana and Turkey have enjoyed a long period of cooperation adding 2018 marks the 60th anniversary of the collaboration.
According to Mr. Ashong-Lartey while Ghana imports cement, processed food products, electrical cables and wires, iron and steel products as well as chemical fertilisers from Turkey, it exports gold; cocoa and cocoa products to the country noting the GIPC recorded 44 investment projects from Turkey valued at US$335.5million.
The B2B Meeting is a bridging ground for businesses which deal in white goods, electronics, all kinds of cables, lighting and security equipments as well as electricity production and distribution equipments.
The Turkish Electrical and Electronics Exporters Association of Turkey (TET), founded in 1991 is a semi-governmental agency which promotes trade activities of its members.
Companies on the Turkish side on the trip are 4A Elektrik Elektronik Teknoloji San A.S, Alimar Makina San. Ve Tic. A.s, Elkima Transformer, Forend, Onka, Pamir Lighting, Oren, Sahra Kablo, Transfomax, Timsan Transformer and Teksan Jenerator Elektrik while the Ghanaian presence comprises Openspaces Lighting, Grand Pacific Limited, GTS Engineering, Joanco Electric, Powertec Ventures, APCS Automation, Logisoft, Prefos Limited, ISS Global Forwarding, Gray Falcon and Priority Insurance.
The 18-member delegation is drawn from 11 Turkish manufacturing companies. Turkish investments in Ghana currently amount to around US$516 million while trade volumes reached US$353 million in 2017.
On this trip put together by Firmus Advisory which specialises in business compliance, market research and trade development services, the delegation will get to also hold meetings with relevant departments and agencies of the government of Ghana.
Michael Eli Dokosi/goldstreetbusiness.com
