Ambassador of Italy to Ghana, H.E Laura Carpini
The Ambassador of Italy to Ghana, Mrs. Laura Carpini, has confirmed a €10 million grant from the government of Italy to support small and medium-scaled enterprises in Ghana.
The amount, which is the second tranche of a €22 million loan facility project for SMEs, is part of Italy’s efforts to compliment President Mahama’s long-term vision of ensuring industrial growth in the country by fostering and supporting small and medium-scaled Ghanaian enterprises.
Mrs. Laura Carpini, in an interview with Diplomatic Call, confirmed the arrival of the quoted amount by the Trade and Industry Minister, Hon. Haruna Idrissu on behalf of the government of Ghana on Friday, May 30, 2014 at a press conference in Accra, to be disbursed among eight eligible entrepreneurs in Ghana.
Ambassador Carpini further revealed that the project would provide credit for Ghanaian companies to acquire ultra-modern machinery from Italian companies in order to aid their operations, which according to her would further strengthen the commercial relationship between both countries.
“In this way, Italy is stimulating the growth of the private sector in Ghana and at the same time helping Italian companies to export their products to Ghana” she explained.
Regarded as the second manufacturing country in Europe, Italy began the road to industrialization after the political referendum in 1946, which reaped optimal benefits after barely twenty years, empowering its citizens to create wealth and further establishing Italy as one of the most successful industrial countries in the world.
Ambassador Carpini also recounted that the industrial success of Italy began with small and medium scale industries, which were usually family run and engaged in concentrated production of similar goods including machinery, agri-food products, fashion, designs, etc.
She therefore lauded government of Ghana’s commitment towards empowering small companies in the country as it takes significant steps in steering Ghana towards achieving economic success.
By: Prince Asare, Diplomatic Call
