Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, Thursday launched the 2019 Volta Trade, Investment and Cultural Fair in Ho, and said it is time Volta and Oti Regions became industrialized and broke out of poverty.

He said investing in industrialization was the surest way to grow the private sector and open up the two regions for rapid development and charged the natives to get involved.

The Fair, which is the fourth in series, is scheduled from November 25th to December 08 and on the theme, “sustainable investment and industrial growth through trade promotion.”

It is expected to attract over 2,000 visitors, investors, professionals, entrepreneurs and over 200 local and foreign exhibitors.

The Trade Fair, under the auspices of the Volta and Oti Regional Coordinating Councils, will feature business to business meetings, technical sessions and match-makings.

Dr. Letsa said it would help foster partnership and synergy between Volta and Oti Regions and grow the local economies of the Regions.

He asked local exhibitors to pay attention to packaging and promote made in Ghana products, assuring that incubator platforms would be made available to assist small and medium scale businesses to meet international standards.

Professor Paul Buatsi, an academician who was the guest speaker, said the two regions must invest in human capital and not be weakened by bad road networks, sanitation challenges and issues of unemployment.

He called for the re-examination of entrepreneurship landscape in the Regions and the need to mentor young people to develop interest in entrepreneurship.

Prof. Buatsi also asked the Regions to develop industrial and recreational parks and green areas to attract local and foreign investors.

Mr Maxwell Kofi Blagodzi, Deputy Regional Minister for Oti, said the joint Trade Fair was the beginning of good things for both Regions and promised the full participation of Oti Region.

“We are forever grateful to Volta…and expect more and we will participate fully in the fair,” he stated.

Mr Nelson Akorli, Ho Municipal Chief Executive, said the Regional capital, which he described as the “Oxygen City” of Ghana was positioning itself to take advantage of the Fair.

All 26 Municipal/District Assemblies in Volta and Oti will showcase their trade, investment and cultural potential for the two weeks event.

By A.B. Kafui Kanyi/Sumaiya Salifu Saeed, GNA