Guinness International is to invest C 18 billion within the next 18 months in new equipment and machinery in Guinness Ghana Ltd (GGL), Mr Tony Greener, chairman of Guinness Company has said. He stated that his shows the level of confidence that the company has in the country's economy and that the investment will secure a long term future in the country and provide a very strong platform from whic to grow future volume profits.

Mr. Greener who has since left for the Cameroon to continue with his three African nations tour of Guinness companies disclosed this in an interview after paying a two-day working visit to Ghana.

He said due to the country's growing economy the prospects for the company are also very positive adding that the strenght of the economy is ably demonstrated by this year's export achievement to the U.K.

Mr. Greener said the current economic policies of the government are conducive to attract more investment while at the same time good enough to generate the necessary growth.

"The government's high profile marketing programme to attract tourism to Ghana will provide valuable income and employement for the future as well as creating a climate that is very attractive to investors especially to foreign investors" the chairman said.

He said Ghana's emergent economy is regarded very high by the international community both by governments and private companies alike adding that "there is strong interest from foreign investors in Guinness Ghana and many Ghanaian companies, in particular the mining and associated companies."

He said Ghana is one of the top performers in the Africa regio for profit and growth and in terms of volume, it is the third largest contributor in Africa behind Nigeria and Cameroon respectively.

The chairman said Guinness will continue to take a community relations approach to Ghana and its communities through its investments involvement in worthwhile project like"Sight Savers" in Koforidua. Earthwatch, a sponsorship programme on the environment and scholarships.