A Swedish firm, Eurox, has visited some farms in the Central Region and is to set up a starch factory in the country with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes annually, under the President's Special Initiative on cassava.

The starch factory, which would be the second largest in Africa, will be sited in the Central Region with a workforce of about 120,000 and an additional 300 farmers.

The Managing Director of Eurox, Mr. Arne Sjogren disclosed this when he called on the Greater Accra Regional Minister Sheikh IC Quaye at his office last Friday.

He said that Eurox has four big factories in Sweden that produce starch, food products, purified water, fruit drinks and other products from potatoes. He said, "we are going to do the same thing here by using cassava".

Mr. Sjogren said he was surprised by extent of work on the farms he toured, and gave the assurance that there are going to be big productions in this country which would create work for the people and money for the country.

He said some of the farmers would resourced to help them meet target production when the factory is set up.

He said Eurox has a ready market for the starch produced in Sweden, Asia and around the world.

Mr. Sjogren promised to finalize the deal with the government by the end of this month, after presenting his findings on the tour to the farms to his employers.

He said they want to invest in Ghana is because of the stable economy and the peaceful political climate.

The Sheikh I.C. Quaye said research by African experts has revealed that the cassava contains a high level content of starch. He when Eurox invests in the starch production, it will be a big boost for the country, as well as the Swedish company.

He urged the Eurox Director to help the farmers with equipment and other valuable resources to help them provide adequate supply when the need arises.

The Regional Minister promised that the government would do all it can to support them in setting up of factory.