A Chinese multi-purpose bus manufacturing company has expressed interest in building a $100 million automobile plant in Ghana as it seeks entry into the African market.

Officials of the Hubei Dali Bus Company Limited announced this at a meeting with the Ghanaian delegation led by Deputy Minister of Trade, Mr Murtala Mohammed, on the sidelines of the 18th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT).

Hubei Dali Bus Company, founded in July 2010 is one of the key enterprises of Suizhou, in the Hubei Province. It holds a market share of more than five per cent in the China school bus market.

Mr Ying Zhang, Executive Director, Overseas Business Development, arranged the discussion with the Ghanaian officials.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, Chief Executive officer of Ghana Export Promotion Authority, described the consultation with the company as successful.

He said the establishment of the plant fitted well into government’s job creation agenda, adding that follow-up meetings would be held between the Chinese Company and relevant agencies to bring the plan into fruition.

In a another development, Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Company Limited (GAC MOTOR), is also seeking discussions with government to set up in the country as an entry point into the West African market.

Zhihui Deng, Vice Director, International Business Division of GAC Motor, said the company would initially manufacture in China and export to Ghana but would set up in Ghana once the company understood the market dynamics.

He said the African motor market was very important to the expansion drive of GAC Motor.

Mr Murtala Mohammed said Ghana was a safe investment destination and assured the company that the government would look into the proposal upon a formal submission of a letter of interest.

Ghana is among the more than 100 countries exhibiting and participating in the 18th CIFIT, which opened on Monday in Xiamen in the Fujian province.

Over 930 delegations are participating in the fair and investment forum as well as other sideshows.

The four-day event under the auspices of China’s Ministry of Commerce provides a unique opportunity for local and foreign participants to seek cooperation and explore business opportunities.

Ghana Export Promotion Authority under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry is coordinating the participation of Ghanaian entrepreneurs and institutions in the fair.

About 20 Ghanaian companies and institutions operating in various sectors, including handicrafts, food and beverages, and cosmetics are expected to expose their goods to the global investing public.

This is the second time Ghana is participating in a fair in China. The first was in 2013 at the Yiwu Forest Products Fair.