Accra, Oct 9, GNA - A forum to partner Ghanaian businesses with foreign investors was launched in Accra on Thursday. The forum, scheduled for November 18-20, dubbed "Ghana Investment Forum" is expected to build on the private sector development initiatives of government.

The forum would under the aegis of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Launching the forum in Accra, Mr Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development described it as a unique event that offers the Ghanaian entrepreneur a hope to grow and meet the challenges of an emerging market.

He said business transactions across borders had their own peculiar challenges and most depressing points, " this forum is intended to bridge these gaps and offer an appropriate platform to bring entrepreneurs of similar minds to undertake commercially viable ventures."

Mr Bartels was encouraged by the emphasis that organizers have placed on the inclusion of micro, small medium enterprises that have become an essential part of the industrial base of the economy. He said without such interactions it was difficult for local SME's to make it on the world stage.

Mr Bartels said it was important for the private sector operators to study French, as effective communication was a major tool to doing good business.

Mr Kwesi Abeasi, Chief Executive of the GIPC advised private sector operators to embrace the idea of mergers, agreements and acquisitions, "since they are one of the surest ways of improving themselves and bringing them to world standards."

He said the GIPC had been accused of dwelling too much on foreign investors, hence the decision with the UNIDO to match up private sector operators with the foreign investors.

Mr Solomon Boateng, National Coordinator of UNIDO said the organisation has a comprehensive programme of developing and meeting the needs of private sector especially the SME's.