Takoradi, June 11, GNA - Industrialists in the Western Region on Wednesday held a one-day dialogue with officials of the World Bank led by Mr. Ishac Diwan, Resident Country Director of the Bank, at Takoradi.

The Dialogue, organised by the Nana Kobina Nketsia 1V Trust, was aimed at finding lasting solutions to the region's developmental problems.

It was attended by businessmen, representatives of political parties, traditional rulers and opinion leaders.

Mr. Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, appealed to the people to bury their differences and unite to enable development to take

place uninterrupted. He said the abundant natural and mineral resources of the region could only be exploited and put to good use when there was unity. Mr. Diwan spoke about the work of the World Bank and how countries could benefit from its services to improve standard of living of their people.

Mr. William Inkumsah, Chairman of Aluworks, proposed the establishment of a loan fund to assist businessmen who want to start and develop their businesses.

The fund would help "address gaps in funding available to businessmen in the Western Region", adding, "These gaps particularly impact on small businesses and start-ups without established track record or collateral".

Earlier, the World Bank officials had interacted with members of the Sekondi-Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and visited some industrial establishments, including the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority, Ghana Rubber Estate Limited, Benso Oil Palm Plantation and John Bitar Wood Products Limited. 11 June 09