Business News of Thursday, 31 October 2013

Source: Daily Guide

French delegation explores energy sector

A TRADE mission from the French oil and gas industry is in Accra to explore the possibility of investing in Ghana’s oil and gas sector.

GEP-AFTP, the French Oil and Gas Suppliers Council, led by Claude Bouty, Business Development Manager, on Monday called on the Minister for Energy and Petroleum, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, at his office.

The delegation was accompanied by Cecile Vignaud, Deputy French Ambassador to Ghana.

Mr. Bouty said they travelled to Ghana to explore business opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

According to him, Ghana continues to attract more companies due to its political stability, stating that they would engage their Ghanaian counterparts to look at investment opportunities.

He said GEP-AFTP represents the interests of about 180 suppliers of equipment and services.

Hon. Buah, for his part, said Ghana’s relationship with France was growing stronger, adding that the record of French companies operating in Ghana is something to be proud of.

He said the government of Ghana was bent on ensuring transparency in the oil and gas sector and had passed laws to guide operations in the industry.

“We are fully committed to the ideals of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI),” he said.

The Minister further stated that the country was seriously considering its local content policies to ensure that Ghanaians and Ghanaian companies are empowered through capacity development and skills and technology transfer.

He welcomed the delegation and encouraged them to explore business opportunities, adding that “we shall work together to ensure shared value.”