U.S., Ghana continue trade cooperation

U.S., Ghana continue trade cooperation Trade officials from the United States and Ghana held a meeting this week to pursue increased trade and investment opportunities in their respective markets.
   It was the fifth meeting of the U.S.-Ghana Trade and Investment Council since this forum for senior levels was created in 1999 as part of the U.S.-Ghana Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
   “The meeting provided an opportunity for us to discuss a broad range of issues, including steps to further expand and diversify the U.S.-Ghana trade and economic relationship,” said John K. Veroneau, deputy U.S. trade representative, in a statement Tuesday. Veroneau led a delegation of officials from 16 U.S. government agencies.
   Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Gifty Konadu led the Ghanaian delegation.
   Specifically, the delegation explored several common objectives, including:
   ' Cooperation in the World Trade Organization.
   ' Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
   ' Export diversification.
   ' Intellectual property protection and enforcement.
   ' Trade capacity building and technical assistance.
   ' Infrastructure issues.
   Two-way trade between the United States and Ghana was valued at $572 million in the first 11 months of 2007, a 31 percent increase over the same period in 2006. U.S. exports to Ghana during this period were valued at $385 million, increasing 44 percent, and U.S. imports from Ghana were valued at $187 million, a 53 percent increase. Imports from Ghana included petroleum, apparel, yams, cassava, cocoa paste, and wood ornaments, the USTR said.