Tamale, Nov. 18, GNA - The Northern Business and Investment Fair has opened in Tamale and is aimed at showcasing business potentials in the northern sector of the country.

The five-day fair, which is being organised by the Business and Financial Times newspaper, had attracted local and national exhibitors. They include batik tie and dye, local baskets, leather sandals and bags with the services industry attracting banks, insurance companies, mining industry and many others.

Ms Hanna Tetteh, the Minister of Trade and Industry, said in a speech read for her that the country in the first quarter of 2010 had registered 97 new business projects, an increase of 19.75 percent compared to 81 registered same time last year.

She said the government continued to pursue measures aimed at improving the legal and regulatory framework for doing business, strengthening of the financial sector, facilitating access to land, streamlining business registration and licensing systems.

Ms Tetteh said the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre was expanding its jurisdiction to include other parts of the country to ensure equitable distribution of investment in the country.

She said the Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP) being implemented by the ministry would revitalize industrial operations to increase the contribution of manufacturing.

In a speech read for the Northern Regional Minister Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, said the three regions of the north could compete favourably in the business environment if given the enabling platform. He said the area had a vast range of tourist attractions which include the Paga crocrodile pond, Mole National Park, the Salaga Slave Market, the Laribanga Mosque, Nalerigu Defense Wall, and hippopotamus Sanctuary. Mr Mabengba said equal opportunities existed in the hospitality industries, transport, agriculture, education, mining and construction. Mr Abdulai Salifu, the General Manager of Business and Financial Times, said last year's fair was successful.

He said the fair had not only brought many businesses and investors this year but collaborations that would widen their businesses.