UAE is all set to organise a trade exhibition in Ghana and Senegal in April, announced Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Wednesday.

The exhibition aims to enhance the business-to-business trade exchange, economic co-operation and bilateral trade investments between the UAE and the Republics of Ghana and Senegal, said DCCI Director-General Abdul Rahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwee.

Mutaiwee said the organisation of this exhibition reflects the strong bilateral relations between the UAE on one side, and Ghana and Senegal on the other.

"This significant economic event would help open new channels for the UAE's commodities and services in the African markets, as well as providing a good opportunity for businessmen and investors from the UAE to develop their trade ties with their counterparts in Ghana and Senegal," he said.

"Dubai, as a leading regional trading hub, provides access to outstanding potential, large and growing markets, as Dubai's total non-oil foreign trade during the last few years has witnessed a remarkable growth which reached 126 per cent, with an annual rate of growth that reached 22.6 per cent," said Mutaiwee.

Walid Hareb, chief executive officer of Dubai Consultancy, the technical organiser of the exhibition, said Ghana and Senegal enjoy lots of investment opportunities which encourage the business community in Dubai to make the best benefit of them, especially with the rise in the number of direct flights of Emirates between Dubai and Ghana.

Mutaiwee said more than 100 government and private companies and establishments from Dubai and other emirates are expected to take part in the UAE Trade Exhibition in Ghana and Senegal "through which they are going to promote the best of their services and facilities provided to businessmen and investors to attract them to the UAE's markets."

The UAE's delegation to the exhibition will include representatives of the most leading government and private corporations in Dubai, as well as others from the free zones in Dubai and other emirates.

He said the African continent, which consists of more than 50 countries, is a potential market and is considered as one of the important partners for the UAE in general, and for Dubai in particular.

He stressed that this exhibition between the trade partners is the right way for boosting trade relations and the UAE is looking forward to have this event as a first step towards organising more trade exhibitions in the other African countries.

He said that the exhibition will run for three days in Ghana followed by a visit of the UAE's trade delegation to Senegal to hold bilateral meetings with Senegalese businessmen and investors to discuss the ways on taking advantage of the investment opportunities available in both countries and the promotion of Dubai's economic services and facilities.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director-General Abdul Rahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwee (right), Ambassador of Ghana in Saudi Arabia and the UAE Parker Allotey (centre) and Dubai Consultancy Company Chief Executive Officer Walid Hareb address a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday.