Roland Fischer
Switzerland imported over $2 billion worth of gold from Ghana in 2016 alone for conversion to finished products for the world market.
This shows an overwhelming increase of about $90 million over the 2015 figure of $1 billion.
Charge de Affairs of the Swiss Embassy in Ghana, Roland Fischer, announced this at the annual Swiss-Ghanaian Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) cocktail and business executives meeting in Accra.
Trade statistics
In 2014 alone, the volume of trade between Switzerland and Ghana hit $1.8 billion and has since been rising every year.
Within the same period, Ghana imported $14.8 billion, making it the 87th largest importer in the world.
Over the last five years, the imports of Ghana, have increased at an annualized rate of 13.7 percent from $7.8 billion in 2009 to $14.8 billion in 2014.
The most recent imports are led by refined petroleum which represents 14.7 percent of the total imports of Ghana, followed by crude petroleum which accounts for 3.68 percent.
Ghana as trade partner
According to Mr. Fischer, Swiss continued to see Ghana as its major trade partner, adding “Ghana is the third most important producer of gold for Switzerland, with Peru and Uzbekistan being first and second respectively.”
He added that Ghana also continued to remain the major supplier of cocoa and other cashew crops for Switzerland.
“Switzerland also exports finished products such as pharmaceutical products, tools and equipment and vehicles to Ghana,” he said.
Mr. Fischer admitted that there was a large trade imbalance between the two countries, but indicated that it was the responsibility of both governments to address the issue.
As part of the Swiss government’s plans to reduce the gap, he said a total amount of $74 million has been earmarked for development projects in Ghana for 2017 alone.
He said the government planned to assist Ghana in the areas of public health, public financing, infrastructure and education.
Insurance policy
Customer Relations Executive of the RMAS, an insurance brokerage company, Hughes Razak Dakpo, advised business owners and directors to take advantage of the many benefits offered by insurance policies.
He said it was important for business executives and directors to stay abreast of the insurance policies in the country in order to serve their customers and employees well.
Chairman of the SGCC, Dr. Nortey K. Omaboe, said the chamber was established to promote the interests of Ghanaian and Swiss businesses in the country.