Ghana participated in the 4th China-Africa Economic Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, from June 12 to 15.

Over 30 Ghanaian exhibitors who participated in the Expo exhibited items ranging from cocoa , textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural, wood, and leather products.

Ghana leveraged the Expo to further promote Made-in-Ghana products and services, formed trade collaborations, and explored new markets. It also used the opportunity to attract investors as part of the country’s foreign policy objective of economic diplomacy.

The Expo was held on the theme: “China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization” and was geared towards strengthening ties between China and the African continent through trade and economic exchanges.

It brought together over 4,600 Chinese and African companies, as well as over 30,000 participants in the manufacturing, garment, transport, and agribusiness industries, among others.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Wang Yi, at the opening ceremony of the Expo, pledged China’s commitment to offering support for Africa’s modernization drive.

H.E. Yi further stated that achieving modernization was a shared aspiration and thus believed that the Expo would create more opportunities for China-Africa cooperation with maximum results for all parties.

He revealed that China would continue exchanges with African countries in areas of governance, development of strategies.

This will fast-track the implementation of the ten-point partnership action plan for Africa’s modernization, signing of economic partnership agreements to encourage the import of African goods, and contribute to Africa’s digital transformation.

In an unrelated event, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, during the Ghana-European Union (EU) Partnership Dialogue held on June 17 reaffirmed the strength of the Ghana-EU partnership and noted that this year’s Dialogue takes place against the backdrop of a renewed national vision under the reset agenda.

He emphasized the importance of open and transparent engagement and outlined four key pillars of the partnership which were also the areas for discussion for the dialogue such as socio-economic partnership, peace and security, international governance and human rights, and green growth and sustainability.

The sector minister called for expanded support in areas such as technical education, climate financing, and Ghana’s anti-galamsey efforts.

Representing the European Union, H.E. Ambassador Irchad Razaaly expressed the EU’s commitment to strengthening partnership with Ghana and stressed that the relations is based on shared values and cooperation rooted in mutual respect and common interests.

He cited recent high-level visits and major investments in the Kaleo solar power plant and retrofitting of the Kpong Dam as proof of the EU’s long-term commitment.

He commended Ghana for its leadership in regional security, peacekeeping and integration, and reaffirmed the EU’s support for democratic governance, gender equity among others.