Business News of Monday, 30 April 2007

Source: GNA

Forum to be held in June for financial sector

Accra, April 30, GNA - A forum that will bring together key industry stakeholders and provide a platform for the discussion and dissemination of crucial business information would be held at the Accra International Conference Centre from June 20-22.

Dubbed; "Money Show," it targets Ghana's fast growing banking, insurance and financial services sector, according to a statement issued in Accra on Monday by the organisers, Expo Promotions. It said the event, which is sponsored by ECOBANK, the pan African bank, will be the pilot for an annual series of such events for the industry.

The organisers noted that small businesses had long been recognized as the engine of growth in all economies around the world. "The Money Show aims to facilitate new business start-ups, micro small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), corporations, traders, individuals as well as the unbanked, to better make use of the available services and opportunities provided by financial institutions. "With masses of liquidity in the system at the moment, Ghana's banking sector is looking for viable projects and businesses in which to invest."

It said to help budding entrepreneurs unlock the potential of their businesses, Ecobank would sponsor a number of free seminars presented by some of Ghana's top financial experts.

Mr Samuel Ashitey Adjei, Managing Director of ECOBANK, said: "By learning the realities, new businesses can avoid the pitfalls by making the right choices at the outset."

The statement said with many of Ghana's top banking, insurance and financial services institutions exhibiting at the "Money Show", delegates can shop around for the latest financial products and services all under one roof.

Mr Edward Frempong of EXPO Promotions, said: "Economic indicators suggest a likely surge in investment by micro, small and medium scale businesses in Ghana in the near future.

"Inflation and interest rates are set to fall further and the national currency has been stable against other major currencies for years.'