The Managing Director of Republic Bank Ghana, Mr. Farid Antar, has reiterated the Bank’s commitment to supporting trade partnerships between Ghana and the Caribbean.
He made the pledged during the Invest Barbados Summit held in Accra.
The Summit was organized by Invest Barbados, an economic development agency of the Government of Barbados in partnership with Republic Bank of Ghana and Barbados.
Other partnering institutions were the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre and Yes Africa.
Speaking at the Summit, Mr. Antar, highlighted the growing interest to promote business relationships between the Caribbean and Ghana.
According to the Managing Director of Republic Bank (Ghana) Limited, the growing interest is a testament to the decision the Republic Bank Group in Trinidad took in 2012 to invest $8 million in Ghana by taking up 8.8% shares of HFC Bank Ghana now Republic Bank Ghana.
“Republic Bank group has so far spent over $100 million in its investment in Ghana making it one of the exceptional diaspora investments in Ghana”.
Mr. Antar also added Republic Bank Ghana and its parent from the Caribbean are always ready to support and promote trade partnerships between Ghana and the Caribbean.
He also took the opportunity to advocate for a direct air link from Africa to the Caribbean. “I believe that the over 15 hours it takes to complete a journey to the Caribbean is too long considering that Ghana to Trinidad is about 6,500 kilometers apart and a non-stop flight should be able to complete the journey in less than 8 hours. As a Trinidadian, I would welcome the opportunity to fly to Ghana from Trinidad or Barbados non-stop. This would save time and also, significantly reduce cost of air travel”. For Ghanaians travelling to the Caribbean the burden of obtaining VISAs for in transit flight is reduced or eliminated.
The Invest Barbados Summit was attended by the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C, MP who was on an official visit to Ghana. Other attendees were business delegation from the Barbados, the CEO of GIPC, Mr. Yofi Grant, Customers of Republic Bank and members of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
The main objective of the seminar was to enhance investments and trade relations between Barbados and Ghana. Republic Bank, has over the last two years, facilitated two other trade missions from the Caribbean to Ghana.
Source: thefinderonline.com
