Yamamura (middle) interacting with some of the potential exhibitors
The Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) have held a one-day workshop for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) on how best they can position themselves for the international market.
The workshop formed part of the preparatory activities towards the participation of Ghanaian companies in the 45th International Food and Beverages Exhibition (FOODEX Japan) to be held at Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Centre) Chiba City, Japan, from 10th–13th March, 2020.
JETRO has over the years supported Ghanaian companies to participate in this specialized trade fair, in order to provide the latter some opportunities to penetrate the Japanese market and to promote export of their products to Japan.
FOODEX Japan is considered the gateway to the Asian markets with established participation from 80 countries and over 77,000 professional visitors from industrial sectors such as trading, food service, manufacturing association, hotel, leisure and others.
Deputy Trade Commissioner, JETRO, Chiharu Yamamura, took the potential exhibitors through the modalities for participating in the exhibition and the benefits they would gain from the JETRO Zone event.
He again explained the procedures exhibitors needed to go through to qualify for the event.
Mr. Yamamura said apart from JETRO’s provision in reducing the participation fee for exhibitors, each exhibitor in the JETRO zone would have a 7 metre square space along with basic pieces of equipment such as table, chair and a board for the names of the respective companies.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, GEPA, Albert Kassim Diwura, expressed the authority’s excitement at another opportunity to facilitate, develop and promote Ghana’s non-traditional exports.
He said since the year 2000, GEPA has worked closely with JETRO to provide the needed information and direction required to enter the Japan market.
“Through our collaborative work with many organizations including JETRO, our exports have gained acceptability in many markets,” he added.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Rhodaline Naa Adjeley King