Commonwealth Greater Birmingham
Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce Contact: Jamila Davis T: 0845 6036650
Opportunities in Ghana
The Commonwealth Chamber has kicked off a series of events focusing on various Commonwealth countries and how to develop trading links with them. The first of these events – which are taking
place online, due to the restrictions imposed by Covid pandemic – was on the west African country of Ghana. The event was organised in conjunction with
the Ghana High Commission, UK (GHCUK) and the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), and the key speakers included Iain Walker, the UK’s High Commissioner to Ghana. Mr Walker spoke about the opportunities that
exist for trading with Ghana, and also insights into doing business with the country. Ghana is one of Africa’s smaller countries, but
it is seen by many as a regional power, due to its growing economic strength. The country has a population of 30 million,
and its capital is Accra. Today it is a democracy, although its history has been littered with military coups, mainly in the 70s, when its economy suffered. Ghana is located on the Gulf of Guinea, and is
close to the equator. It is rich in natural resources, including industrial minerals, hydrocarbons and precious metals. Ghana is the seventh largest producer of gold, and many other minerals are found in the country, including diamonds, bauxite, manganese, and uranium. The country also has large deposits on oil and
natural gas, and exploration of these is ongoing, particularly off its eastern coast. Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa
in the world, and other key industries include information and communications technology
Demonstration in new payment system
A Polish firm that produces specialised software for the financial sector has showcased its products to Chamber members. The firm is CCA Europe, which delivered a
webinar to members with an interest in innovative financial solutions, and demonstrated its new card payment Payres
system.Payres stores different kinds of information about customers, so that when they make a payment, it has the ability to do more than just make the transaction. Chamber international director Mandy
Haque said: “CCA Europe offers new cost- effective improvements to existing systems, giving them appealing, user-friendly interfaces, bringing clarity and transparency.”
The event is available to watch at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOoYsWCq0p0
Mandy Haque
products, such as smartphones and tablets. Chamber international director Mandy Haque
said many enquiries and requests had been received from businesses and investors wanting do business with Ghana. She said: “According to the Ministry of Trade &
Industry in Ghana, Ghana’s wealth of resources, democratic political system and dynamic economy, makes it undoubtedly one of Africa’s leading lights. The country has attracted the attention of well-known international businesses, investing in all sectors of its economy. This is because Ghana has a conducive social, political and economic environment in which they can invest, grow and be successful. “The Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce
has established a strong relationship with the UK- Ghana Chamber of Commerce to ensure that members can grow their knowledge on Ghana to support trading and future lucrative engagements.”
Funding still available for customs training
The Chamber is urging businesses to take up the funding available to help them train their workforce for the changes in customs procedures that are happening on 1 January 2021. This is when the UK leaves the European
Union, after a 12-month transition period. Chamber international director Mandy
Haque said: “With two months to go, it still isn’t too late to be prepared, but time is running out. “Here at the international department we
can talk you through the right approach for your business and advise on the relevant grants available. For further information please do contact us on
training@birmingham-chamber.com for further details. “HM Revenue and Customs still have
funding available to support businesses to become upskilled in customs procedures in readiness for the end of the EU transition and
I cannot stress enough how beneficial it has been to various companies throughout this year to develop staff. “Organisations who have already received
funding through the scheme have appreciated the ability to access new training and resources, and the opportunity to expand their capacity and knowledge as they prepare for the future. “The scheme closes for applications on 30
June 2021, or earlier, if funding is fully allocated. “Applications made from 29 July 2020 are
subject to new eligibility criteria and new funding terms and conditions.”
President makes a pledge
New Commonwealth Chamber president Joel Blake (pictured) has pledged that the organisation will put all its efforts into building new trading links with the rest of the world. He said that despite the pandemic that had
put commercial life around the globe on hold for much of the year, he believed it was time to get back to business. Mr Blake recently took over from
Keith Stokes-Smith, who was the Chamber division’s inaugural president. He has now set out the two
main objectives that will be the bedrock of his time in office. They are to establish a ‘truly
global inclusive and interactive community with all Commonwealth members both here and abroad’, and to ‘unify and build more innovative partnerships with other commonwealth stakeholders and partners, both here in the UK and abroad’. He said: “We all have the fantastic opportunity
to unlock our potential by developing new ways of working and to work together in unity. But we
must all also understand that it is time to get back to business. It is clear that our members want to trade and do business here and across the world.” Mr Blake added that he is being backed by a ‘strong, diverse and dynamic committee’, and added: “It is my honour to lead and represent this new phase in our journey - and what a time to do so. “It is with a clear purpose for inclusion that I bring myself into this role. An inclusive business support ecosystem is essential to drive inclusive economic growth both here in the region and
overseas. “We need to have new ways of thinking, new models of work,
stronger innovative partnerships, but with a level of transparency to offer to each
other and right across the globe.” The Commonwealth division has already
begun strengthening its relationships with major countries within the Commonwealth, including Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, India and Canada.
November 2020 CHAMBERLINK 31 Commonwealth Chamber Patron
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