Accra, Nov. 27, GNA - The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Private Sector Development and PSI is supporting the Juaboso district in the Western Region to implement a plantain processing project, which is being driven by a strategic investor.

A test marketing of plantain chips, has been completed in the United States and Italy, Mr Joe Baidoe-Ansah, Trade Minister, said in Parliament on Tuesday in response to a question. "The Ministry is coordinating technical assistance to enable the company resolve quality issues relating to excess oil in the product that tend to affect its shelf life as well as engage in large scale commercial production for exports next year. "This will enable it to expand production from 10 metric tons to 2,700 metric tons per year and increase its workforce from 25 to 180," the Minister said.

The Minister said a second priority project of the Juaboso district under the District Industrialization Programme, was the processing of cocoa into soap and cosmetics.

He said the Ministry was presently engaged in discussion with the private sector to team up with the district assembly for the implementation of the project.

In response to another question from Mr Stephen Kunsu, NDC-Kintampo North, on measures to exploit the large deposits of white clay at Gbene and New Longoro in the Kintampo North constituency, Mr Baidoe-Ansah said the Ministry was liasing with the district assembly and other relevant authorities to attract investment, both local and foreign into the industry.

He said white clay was a major raw material widely used as filler for paper and rubber in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry and for the manufacture of bricks, porcelain and tiles and therefore could contribute to the country's economy. 27 Nov 07