The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has formally inaugurated a planning and implementation committee five clear months ahead of the Commonwealth Business Council's (CBC's) Ghana investment conference, scheduled to take place from November 27 to 29, this year.

This is to ensure that the conference becomes one of the best organised CBC conferences among five to be held this year; it is also expected to further the national objective of showcasing Ghana as the gateway to West Africa.

The Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) in October 1997, established the CBC to involve the private sector in the promotion of international trade and investment.

Since then it has been held yearly to precede the CHOGM as well as a number of country specific investment conferences.

According to Mr. Kwesi Abeasi, Chief Executive of the GIPC, with over 20% of world trade originating from Commonwealth countries and the increased mobility of capital the world wide network of commonwealth countries has comparative and competitive advantages which can help the country.

Also the CBC's close relationship with governments and institutions enables it to present policy recommendations directly to decision makers which in turn promotes public and private business investment and dialogue, and this coincides with theS government's objective of promoting private sector development.

The early formation of the committee which comprises representatives of relevant organisations is expected to whip up enthusiasm, and identify problem areas that may impede the expected benefits of the conference to the country.