Bolgatanga, Dec 23, GNA - A two-day mini trade fair and exhibition for a number of Micro and Small-Scale Enterprises (MSEs) opened in Bolgatanga on Monday with a call on stakeholders to create a conducive environment for MSEs to maximise their contribution to national development.

The Executive Director of the National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI), Dr. Baah Boakye, made the call in an address to open the fair.

Exhibitors from the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions are attending the fair.

He said the fair is to provide the foundation for the growth of the private sector through the promotion and marketing of locally produced goods and services.

Dr. Boakye said the government regards the MSE sector as having the potential to contribute substantially towards a reduction of the high rate of unemployment.

He said it is the desire of his outfit to refocus activities of MSEs to ensure that the Golden Age of Business and the President's Special Initiatives succeed through the promotion of the sector.

It is expected that the fair would expose the products of the exhibitors to the local market as well as enable the Board to select entrepreneurs with innovative products to participate in the forthcoming 9th Ghana International Trade Fair, scheduled for February 26-March 8, 2004.

The Upper East Regional Coordinating Director, Mr. George Anaba, commended the organisers and exhibitors for their foresight. He said efforts are being made to revamp the meat and tomato factories in the region and there are other programmes to promote women to establish their own businesses.

In a welcoming address, the Upper East Regional Manager of the NBSSI, Mr. Aboa Offei Akoto, said the exhibitors have, in various ways benefited from financial, technical and advisory support, which has given them the urge to improve upon the quality of their products. He said all the exhibitors have presented quality products indicating their willingness and readiness to improve upon their products.

Products mounted at the fair included straw products such as hats and baskets, clothing and textiles, fruit juice, and art and craft. About 30 exhibitors displayed their products.