uniBank on Friday announced its intent to partner the Ministry of Transport in the organisation of the Africa Air Expo 2014 scheduled to take place in Accra in October.

In this regard, uniBank has donated GHC 500, 000 to Mrs Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport, to assist in the sponsorship of the Africa Air Expo 2014 event. Mr Felix Nyarko-Pong, Chief Executive Officer of uniBank who presented a dummy cheque at a ceremony in Accra to the Ministry, explained that the assistance makes uniBank the Platinum sponsor and the official bank for the Air Expo.

The Air Expo, the first ever to be hosted in Ghana, is being organised in collaboration with the International Centre for Excellence of Abu Dhabi. Over 5,000 trade attendees all over the world are expected to participate in the three-day expo, and all these are expected to transact businesses through uniBank.

President John Mahama would be the patron of the Expo, which falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Transport.

Mr Nyarko-Pong expressed the hope that the Expo would help showcase the country and the numerous investment opportunities in the aviation industry, and assist in making Ghana an investment destination, as well as an aviation hub for the sub-region.

“We at uniBank believe strongly in the government policy of Public-Private Partnership in the development of the nation. The Agenda of the ministry in bringing together the Aviation Industry stakeholders globally is laudable and worthy of support.'

He wished the Ministry and the organising committee well as they continue to work tirelessly to advance the development agenda for Ghana. Mrs Attivor thanked uniBank for the assistance in helping to sustain and improve the aviation industry that provides lots of job and investment opportunities for many people.

She said Ghana has had the opportunity to host the expo due to the country’s political stability and modest economic growth.

She noted that students from tertiary institutions, engineers, pilots and aircrew as well as many others would be invited to the expo, adding, students would be exposed to the many opportunities in the aviation industry. “This is part of our efforts to make our continent an investment destination to the world” Mrs Attivor said.

She expressed the hope that Ghana would be given the opportunity to host the expo annually for three consecutive times. Mr Sam Duodu, Spokesperson for the Local Organising Committee of the Expo, explained that over 20 aircrafts would be on show at the Kotoka International Airport, the venue for the expo, as well as display of Abu Dhabi Air force and Ghana Air force.

He said there would be discussions on the Aviation Industry, a welcome cocktail, what-do you-know quiz for tertiary students, as well as transport and logistics awards for Ghanaian companies dealing in transports services, then an open day for the public to patronize the show.