Appolonia Business Park will attract more investments - US Ambassador

By Belinda Ayamgha,GNA Accra, Aug. 24, GNA - Mr Robert Porter Jackson, Ambassador of the United States of America to Ghana says the launch of the Appolonia Business Park will attract more investment into Ghana. He said the 70-acre-park, designated for light industrial companies, will offer Ghanaian and international companies, access to world-class infrastructure and estate management services, which will allow businesses to focus on their core businesses and expand and optimise production processes. Speaking at the launch of the Appolonia Business Park, park of the 2,250-acre Appolonia City development, Mr Jackson lauded the project’s potential to attract increased investment into Ghana. “The park really offers opportunities and can bring more local and international investment to Ghana”. He said the opening of the Business Park, backed by US investment, was an evidence of the strong commercial relationship between Ghana and the US, adding that the embassy expected a number of US companies to invest in the country. He said the Park will make Ghana a more attractive investment destination and help to achieve the vision of doubling the amount of bilateral trade between the two countries over the next three years. Ambassador Jackson said the renewal of the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) for a further ten years was the longest extension in the history of the program saying the US is serious about expanding its trade relationship with Africa. “We congratulate Rendeavour for its dedication to bringing the Appolonia development to reality. It is really an investment in the future; positioning this area as a social and economic hub with the potential to create significant jobs” he said. Mr Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, the lead investor and developer in the Appolonia City development, in partnership with the Appolonia Development Company Limited, said the Rendeavour’s platform will hugely reduce the hassles normally associated with land ownership and industrial infrastructure. “Rendeavour offers your business the best and most secure platform for growth in Ghana and across Africa’ he said. Mr Holgar Adam, Country Head of Rendeavour, said the Park, will offer business all amenities including water, power from its dedicated 33KV power station, as well as facilities management services. Mr Fredrick Alipui, the Policy Advisor of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, commended Rendeavour for the laudable initiative that sought to impact livelihoods of citizens by creating   jobs. He said the launch of the Appolonia Business Park was a model development in Ghana especially when it aimed at creating a continental free trade area. “Indeed we share the vision of the founder and vision of Appolonia that aims at making Ghana West Africa’s Silicon Valley,” he said. Mr Alipui urged all land developers to emulate Rendeavour and Appolonia’s initiative for commercial entities that would serve the country economically. He pledged of the Ministry’s commitment in making the goals of Rendeavour and Appolonia worthwhile. Mr James Asare-Agyei, the President of the Association of Ghana Industries, said the availability of such platforms would help industries in the country to grow. “We need more of such initiatives and we are inviting all our members to take advantage of the project and all who are not members too, take advantage of it so we don’t go through the hassle,” he said. Nii Neurtey Amobi II, the Chief of Appolonia, said the partnership between Appolonia and the community is one bond to better their surroundings and the launch of the Business Park was another step in building the community. He commended Rendeavour for helping to develop the Appolonia community.