President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday stressed the need for trade delegations to the country to consummate their negotiations into fruitful investment ventures for the benefit of the people.

He said, " we look forward for real consummation of these trade negotiations with the private sector for the benefit of the people".

President Kufuor made the call when Mr. William Watley, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary of New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission, paid a courtesy called on him at the Castle, Osu.

Mr. Watley is leading a 23-member trade and business delegation from New Jersey to Ghana to discuss areas of mutual business interests.

The areas discussed were mutual prospects of investment in Information Communication Technology (ICT), Telecommunications, Tourism and processing of fruit juices.

Mr. Watley said the delegation would visit South Africa as well, but chose Ghana first for their discussions, because of its political stability, high-level interest in privatisation drive and its significance as the Gateway to the West African Sub-Region.

"With the development of a free market economy, it is meaningful to come to Ghana".

He said Ghana had a significant number of skilled professionals with integrity and a traditional manufacturing industry that fed into a strong and successful partnership with New Jersey where about 90 per cent of the business establishments are small and medium-scale enterprises.

The delegation leaves for South Africa on Wednesday night.