Mr Gideon Quarcoo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), has called on exporters to focus on increasing the volume of exports to the international market.

Mr Quarcoo, speaking at the launch of the Made-in-Ghana Product Fair 2015 to be held in Milan, Italy, urged exporters to also adhere to standards and quality principles to ensure that their export products meet international requirements.

The Fair scheduled for October 12 to October 15, is to promote Ghanaian products, services, businesses and brands to the European market.

It is also to attract investment, cooperation and partnership for the various sectors of the economy.

Mr Quarcoo implored players in the export and productive sectors to ensure that goods destined for the international market were of the highest quality in order to be competitive.

“Do not cut corners in exporting inferior products on to the international market,” he said.

Mr Quarcoo said there was an urgent need for the country to increase products in the export market, hence these initiatives by both government and the private sector to focus attention on the international market.

He, therefore, called for an effective collaboration to enable products and services to penetrate the international market to develop the economy.

Mr Wakefield Ackuaku, the Business Development Manager, Doulos Consult Limited, organisers of the Fair, said the aim of the event was to also establish Ghana as a reliable source of supply of raw materials, semi and finished products for the European market.

He said the Fair was to position, Ghana as a major outlet for repackaged goods for the Italian and the European market.

The Business Development Manager said it was also to complement government’s efforts in championing the export trade in the country, adding that, “it is to provide an opportunity for businesses to expand their clientele base and seek investors and partnership for their businesses”.

He said the organisers intended to provide the platform for exporters and companies to take advantage of the huge marketing opportunity to showcase and exhibit their businesses, products and services.

Mr Lorenzo Pinelli, Deputy Ambassador, Italian Embassy in Ghana, said about 150 Italian companies are operating in Ghana and contributing to the development of the economy.

He expressed the hope that the Fair would continue to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between both countries.

Collaborators for the Fair include, the Ministry of Trade and Industries, Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Association of Ghana Industries, Art Design Box and Commune Di Rho.