Investment Monitoring Platform Launched
A web-based interactive database, known as the Investment Monitoring Platform (IMP) which will provide detailed information on foreign and domestic enterprises in some Sub-Sahara African countries including Ghana, was launched in Accra last Tuesday.
The platform will serve as a tool for proactive investment promotion and support, based on empirical data and trends.
Speaking at the launch, the board chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Paul Victor Obeng noted that Ghana cannot afford being left behind in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
He explained that other countries in the world over were running fast in the use of information technology to enhance their work in investment promotion and assistance.
Mr. Obeng, therefore, urged Ghanaian businesses, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Minerals Commission and other stakeholders to change their systems and adopt new technologies.
He advised the GIPC and private enterprises to target the right investors in order to attract the needed assistance.
He further urged the GIPC to upgrade the skills of its staff to enable them to be abreast with modern trends.
Mr. Obeng commended the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for initiating the IMP which will help promote investment for the country.
In a speech read on her behalf, Ms Hanna Tetteh, Minister for Trade and Industry also lauded UNIDO for its unflinching support for the growth and development of Ghana’s industrial sector.
She attributed this to the longstanding relationship between the two.
She said technology has made it possible for investors, policy makers, suppliers, buyers and development partners to sit in the comfort of their homes and offices and make informed decisions.
She noted that the innovation by UNIDO is appropriate, particularly, when it will provide suppliers capacity building to give skills needed to establish, contribute and make optional use of the platform in the area of research, design of investment promotion strategies and delivery of services to both foreign and domestic investor.
According to Ms Tetteh, government believes that, growth and accelerated industrial development depend, to a large extent on information and communications technology (ICT).
She explained that modern manufacturing processes now required ICT in planning, design, supply chain management, production and distribution.
According to her, ICT therefore, has become strategic, in determining competitiveness of industrial firms.
That is why government, through its national industrial policy, is working with the private sector, to increase the use of ICT in the manufacturing sector.
It will further use ICT to link raw material producers, suppliers, manufacturers, marketers and service providers.
Mr. George Aboagye, chief executive of GIPC in a speech read on his behalf, stated that the days when investment promotion and support services remained the preserve of investment promotion authorities are long gone.
Therefore, it will be vital to engage all stakeholders since every citizen or investor in the country is now an investment promotion agent.
He said that the GIPC over the years have been desirous to modify and improve its investment promotion strategy, design, policy advocacy and targets.
He pledged that the GIPC will make use of the IMP to the benefit of all agencies and the private sector.
Mr. Aboagye added that the GIPC’s Research Division will be tasked to ensure that they provide the necessary support to update existing information and also introduce the platform to its registered investors.
Source: The Ghanaian Times.
Date Updated: Monday | January 20, 2012 - www.modernghana.com
