Able Imports and Exports Trading Company marks 10th anniversary
Able Imports and Exports Trading Company Limited, a subsidiary of Jospong Group of Companies based China, last Friday marked its 10th anniversary to celebrate its successful operation in China.
The event was also used to take stock of the company's achievements to enable it forge ahead with new strategies that would help achieve mission and vision.
In attendance were Ghana's Ambassador to China, Mr Anani Okuminyi Demuyakor , the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Royal Bank, Ghana, Alhaji Adamu Iddrisu, the CEO of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong and some management and staff of Zoomlion Ghana.
Able
Founded in 2003, Able Import and Export Trading Company Limited is a solely foreign-invested company, officially established and registered in Tianjin Free Trade Zone, China.
The company, which is the representative of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Jospong Group of Companies in China, deals with the export of equipment and machinery and also offers warehousing, shipment and other services to its clients from all over the world.
It has since its establishment fostered cooperation and mutual relationships between its Chinese partners, manufactures and suppliers, to constantly support its Ghanaian counterparts in the procurement and export of various equipment and machinery for the execution of projects.
Dignitaries remarks
In his address, Mr Demuyakor lauded the company for working hard to bring development to a number of African countries.
He said even though the Ghanaian community in China was just a handful, he was proud that they were making an impact by engaging in businesses with their Chinese counterparts to further deepen the China-Ghana relationship.
He mentioned that major challenge currently facing trade relations between China and African countries was the communication barrier.
“I hope to come out with a programme or strategy within my tenure of office, that would help bridge the language barrier and enhance the trade relations between both countries,” he said.
On the issue of foreigners engaging in retail trade in Ghana, Mr Demuyakor asked Ghanaians to desist from the habit of fronting for foreign nationals.
“Most often when we go out to investigate what is happening, we found out that most of the shops have been registered in the name of Ghanaians but operated by the Chinese.”
“We should desist from this habit to help curb the situation in order to allow the retail trade to be in the hands of only Ghanaians", he said.
Mr Demuyakor urged other companies and entrepreneurs to emulate the effort of the Jospong Group and expand their business into other countries to attract foreign investments and enhance relationships between Ghana and other countries.
We are just starting
In his remarks, Dr Agyepong said he was proud that the company had grown from its small office to have three other subsidiaries in Beijing.
The companies; Tianjin Able Shipping Company, Able Shangai Branch, and the Able Ghana branch, have grown over the years to support the trade businesses and the relationship between China and Ghana.
He advised businessmen who traded both in Ghana and China not only to focus on trade but also think of how to develop a relationship with their Chinese counterparts by setting up offices in China.
The move, he said would help build trust between them as there would be offices in both countries, working to achieve a particular goal and to harness potentials.
He also advised young entrepreneurs to stay focused and stick to their goals in order to achieve their dreams saying, saying, “If others have done it, you can also do it”.
Dr Agyepong said in the coming years, the company was going to break new grounds in the manufacturing, construction, and sanitation sector.
He also called on government to put a ban on foreigners from undertaking certain businesses that were meant for Ghanaian saying,” this would help protect our markets and also strengthen the economy”.
We are committed to work
For his part, the General Manager of Able Companies, Mr Stpehn Ketu, assured the Ghanaian community and their Chinese counterparts of its commitment to work and provide logistics for their operations.
He lauded Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its support to the company over the years.