Ghana has the potentials to develop into the gateway to the West African Sub-Region and Africa, Mr Gerrit Yebma, Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs said in Accra on Tuesday.

He said the Netherlands government would, therefore, provide all the needed assistance to the government and the business community to utilise the potentials to develop.

Mr Yebma made the observation when he led a 35-member trade delegation on a five-day tour, to pay a courtesy call on President John Agyekum Kufuor.

He said his country has already assisted in the development of the transport, agricultural, fisheries, agro-processing and tourism sectors of the economy and was determined to improve on its performance.

Mr Yebma said he was impressed about the government's policy to develop the economy based on the private sector adding, "that is the only way to sustain economic development".

President Kufuor expressed optimism that within a year the investment climate would improve to attract more investors into the country.

He pledged the government's determination to collaborate for the success of the celebration of the 300 years of partnership between the two countries.