Takoradi, March 9, GNA - The Takoradi Port handled more manganese exports than any other product between 2001 and 2004.

Mr Paul A. Ansah, Marketing and Consumer Services Manager of the Takoradi Port announced this when a 20-member trade delegation from Amsterdam visited the Takoradi Port on Wednesday.

He said 1,109,342 metric tonnes of manganese were exported in 2001, while 1,624,123 metric tonnes of the same product was exported in 2004.

Mr Ansah said cocoa rose from 186,086 metric tonnes in the same year to 356,897 metric tonnes in 2004, while wood products exported changed from 85,587 metric tonnes in 2001 to 415,312 metric tonnes in 2004.

He said the port handled vehicles, bauxite, manganese, clinker, wheat, quick lime, petroleum products, wood products, cocoa, plant and equipment and transit goods within the period.

Mr William Ruijgh, President of the Amsterdam Seaports said investments in the port should reflect the needs of the port and meet the specifications of the master plan.

He said members of the Amsterdam Seaports numbering over 300 are interested in various aspects of the port and would be encouraged to invest wherever they wanted.

Mr Ruijgh, however, called on the government to rehabilitate the railways to enable goods from the rural areas to reach the port without depending on the road networks.