Minister
of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen on the sidelines of the 8th
Tokyo International Conference in Tunis, Tunisia, signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Toyota Tsusho Corporation to continue to develop
mutual collaboration for contribution to the Ghanaian automotive industrialisation
sector, economy and society.
It is recalled that in August 2019, he signed an
MoU with Toyota Tsusho Corporation during the TICAD-7 Summit in Yokohama, Japan
for the establishment of the Toyota Tsusho Manufacturing Ghana (TTMG) vehicle
assembly plant.
The Plant was finally launched in June 2021. TTMG
is currently assembling the Toyota Hilux (SKD). It would commence the
assembling of Suzuki Swift vehicles before the end of this year, 2022.
The new MoU signed by Mr. Kyerematen seeks to
explore opportunities in capacity and people development and enhance the
potential to export vehicles assembled in Ghana to neighboring countries.
According to the Trade minister, it is also aimed
at the possibility of manufacturing the vehicle parts locally to help to
develop the automotive market and industry in Ghana.
Government’s delegation at the conference included
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional
Integration, Deputy Minister of Finance, John Kumah, and other Senior
Government officials as well as Ghana's Ambassador to Tunisia.
TICAD is a Summit-level international conference
on Africa’s development initiated by Japan in 1993.
The conference brought together African countries
and development partners, including international and regional organisations,
donor countries, Asian countries, the private sector and Civil Society
Organizations, to deliberate on Africa's development.
TICAD-8 focused on promoting fair and transparent
development financing for Africa.
In his address, Mr. Kyerematen shared strategies
to guide Africa’s industrialisation agenda highlighting political commitment;
technology and innovation; medium and long-term financing; as well as seizing
opportunities that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) market
presents to both investors from Africa and Japan.
Source:
Peacefmonline