Ghana and Tunisia have pledged to deepen trade relations and increase business partnership between the two countries for their mutual benefit.

The commitment came at the maiden edition of the Ghana-Tunisia Economic Forum, which also served as a platform for Tunisian companies and their Ghanaian partners to explore opportunities in both countries.

Mr Mike Badu-Aboagye, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce (GNCCI), said the forum sought to enhance the bilateral relations between both countries.

He said Ghana was open to business as the government was keen to supporting the industrialisation agenda, and that, there was the need to increase trade between Ghana and Tunisia.

Mr Carlos Ahenkorah, a Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, said government was pursuing a ‘Ghana beyond Aid’ through a robust manufacturing industry, adding that, no country could develop without industrialisation.

Mr Ahenkorah said the Akufo-Addo-led administration’s interest to make Ghana an industrial hub in the region was without compromise, which had resulted in the development of a 10-point industrialisation agenda.

He said as part of the agenda, the government was committed to building an industrial park in every district to support investors, who faced challenges with business establishment through land tenure problems.

Mr Ahenkorah urged the Tunisian businesses represented at the forum to take advantage of the wide range of business opportunities in the country and increase their presence.

On his part, Mr Hatem Ferjani, the Secretary of State for Tunisia Foreign Affairs in charge of economic diplomacy to Ghana said the reality of the maiden Ghana-Tunisia Economic Forum was a reaffirmation of the existing bilateral relation between the two nations over the past 60 years.

Mr Ferjani, said the economic relation between the two nations would largely benefit from the forum, adding that, his country had considered building a direct shipping line from Ghana to Tunisia.

He urged Ghanaian investors to consider investing in Tunisia either through joint corporations or Public-Private Partnerships.

Mr Yofi Grant, the CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, took the participants through the many business opportunities available in Ghana, urging them to invest in the country for greater benefit.

Mr Grant said Ghana was well positioned to host business entities who were interested in investing in the energy, agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism sectors.

He said there was the need for the two countries to work together towards bringing mutual benefits to not only Ghana and Tunisia but Africa as a whole.