Accra, Feb. 9, GNA - Ghana is to play host to the annual international business and investment conference and exhibition between February 16 and February 17, 2006 to create a platform for greater economic interaction between the African and US business communities.

Dubbed: "America and West Africa: Partners in Development," the two-day event being organised by African Connections (USA) and its Ghanaian sister company African Connections, Ghana would also promote networking and linkages as well as joint venture opportunities. "During the conference delegates from across West Africa and the United States would have opportunities to participate in matchmaking to facilitate their efforts to find investment capital, joint venture partners and other opportunities to market their ideas and or products," Dr Ayesha S. Hakeem, Executive Director of African Connections, USA, told a press conference in Accra on Thursday.

A special attraction of this year's conference is the focus on the economic potential of the Asutifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region, where African Connections and the Assembly are working to improve agricultural output and smallholder participation in export markets through the formation of Farmer Associations.

Dr Hakeem, who is also the Managing Director of African Connections, Ghana, said ShoreBank International, the leading development bank in the United States, would also highlight the Bank's interests in investing and contributing to development efforts in West Africa, especially Ghana.

The Bank is expected to announce support for a pilot micro-finance scheme in Ghana, once assessment is concluded by March. Dr Hakeem said the previous conferences had enabled some Ghanaian companies to have access to the United States market.

Officials from Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso and Guinea would also make presentations on their various investment packages and advantages in doing business in their respective countries.