Yamamura (middle) interacting with some of the potential exhibitors
The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) have held a one-day workshop for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) on how best they can position themselves for the international market.
The
workshop formed part of the preparatory activities towards the participation of
Ghanaian companies in the 45th International Food and Beverages
Exhibition (FOODEX Japan) to be held at Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention
Centre) Chiba City, Japan, from 10th–13th March, 2020.
JETRO
has over the years supported Ghanaian companies to participate in this
specialized trade fair, in order to provide the latter some opportunities to
penetrate the Japanese market and to promote export of their products to Japan.
FOODEX
Japan is considered the gateway to the Asian markets with established
participation from 80 countries and over 77,000 professional visitors from industrial
sectors such as trading, food service, manufacturing association, hotel, leisure
and others.
Deputy
Trade Commissioner, JETRO, Chiharu Yamamura, took the potential exhibitors
through the modalities for participating in the exhibition and the benefits
they would gain from the JETRO Zone event.
He
again explained the procedures exhibitors needed to go through to qualify for
the event.
Mr.
Yamamura said apart from JETRO’s provision in reducing the participation fee
for exhibitors, each exhibitor in the JETRO zone would have a 7 metre square
space along with basic pieces of equipment such as table, chair and a board for
the names of the respective companies.
Deputy
Chief Executive Officer, GEPA, Albert Kassim Diwura, expressed the authority’s
excitement at another opportunity to facilitate, develop and promote Ghana’s
non-traditional exports.
He
said since the year 2000, GEPA has worked closely with JETRO to provide the
needed information and direction required to enter the Japan market.
“Through
our collaborative work with many organizations including JETRO, our exports
have gained acceptability in many markets,” he added.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Rhodaline Naa Adjeley King
