There have been percentage increases in all parameters used to measure FDI inflows.

The most apparent of them is the more than 400 per cent increase in Total Initial Transfers of $ 59.12M as against $ 10.03M in the same quarter of 2015. FDI is a controlling ownership in a business enterprise in one country by an entity based in another country. According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mrs Mawuena Trebarh, the Centre continues to stay on course to achieve its target for increased domestic and foreign investment.

She stated that the total number of projects registered was 51 with a total estimated value of $ 1.41 billion. According to data provided, this shows a considerable improvement in FDI results recorded during the second quarter of 2016 as compared to the first quarter of the same year and the corresponding quarter of 2015. China, with 13 projects, ranked the number one source of investments by the number of projects. Singapore topped the list of countries with the largest value of investments being $ 1.06B, for the quarter under review.

Out of the 51 new projects registered by the Centre, 40 were wholly foreign owned enterprises valued collectively at $ 391.17M, representing 78.43 per cent of total projects for the quarter.

The remaining 11 projects which represent 21.57 per cent were joint venture projects valued collectively as $ 1.06B. Additionally, a total number of 4,112 jobs (3729 for Ghanaians and 383 for expatriates) is expected to be created by the projects recorded giving an increase of 105.39 per cent over 2,002 expected to be created in the corresponding quarter of 2015.

Notable projects among the lot include the 660 megawatt combined cycle plant to be developed in Aboadze valued at $ 1.06B and the ceramic tiles and allied products project also estimated at $ 182.60. The services sector continued its trend of receiving the highest number of projects in the quarter under review with eight projects. The agriculture sector also recorded the highest number of expected jobs to be created.

Mrs Trebarh said as part of the Centre’s growing efforts towards creating awareness of its services to the local business community, the GIPC would continue to engage with domestic investors through its Regional Sensitisation Tours and CEOs Breakfast Meetings. Wholly Ghanaian projects were 18 in number estimated at $ 392.19M.

 “As we continue to improve upon our efficiency and also put into action some of the best practices as an IPA, we are confident that the end of the year results of recorded FDI as well as inflows, will be reflective of our collective team effort”, she said.