Accra, Aug. 30, GNA - Togolese authorities on Tuesday launched the country's fifth International Trade Fair in Accra aimed to enhance trade and integration among the countries in the sub-region. The event scheduled for November 25 to December 5, 2005 in Lome will provide Ghanaian manufacturers seeking to expand their markets the opportunity to showcase their goods and services on the Togolese market. Exhibitors from all over Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America are expected to participate in the fair.

Mr Johnson Kweku Banka, Director of the Togolese Trade Fair Company, told the media that the fair authorities were reaching out to neighbouring countries in line with the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) objectives to promote economic development in the sub-region.

He said it was important that Togo and Ghana translated the existing cordial relationship between them into an economic advantage to advance their development goals.

Mr Bankah said the Togolese authorities would do everything to ensure that Ghanaian industrialists and entrepreneurs, especially those in the arts and handicraft sub-sector participated in the fair. Mr Edem Adjeye, Minister Counsellor at the Togolese Embassy, said the launch was the beginning of greater trade cooperation between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Togolese Trade Fair Authority had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Advocacy Communications, a Ghanaian marketing Communications and events management organisation to facilitate the participation of Ghanaians in the fair.

Mr Bankah explained that the Togolese authorities had chosen to sign a deal with Advocacy Communications to give meaning to Public Private sector partnership.

Similar MOUs had also been signed with agencies in Benin and Burkina Faso.

Mr. William Dowokpor, National Coordinator, said Advocacy Communications would go all lengths to get manufacturers to participate in the fair.

Highlights of the fair include an African Marketplace for over 1000 manufacturers and distributors, business seminar and Gala and Awards Dinner. Aug. 30 05