The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, has pledged to support the decision of the Jospong Group of Companies to enter into rice and poultry production.
He gave the company this assurance when Mr Emmanuel Volsuuri of the Jospong Group, led a team of investors to call on him at his office in Kumasi.
Mr Volsuuri said the initiative was intended to support the government to boost agriculture to reduce the importation of staple foods.
He believed it would also help curb the depreciation of the cedi which often results from excessive importation.
Mr Volsuuri disclosed that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with giant rice production and equipment manufacturers in Thailand to provide expert advice and solutions on farm preparation, planting, harvesting and post-harvest equipment.
With regard to funding the project, he hinted that the Jospong Group has started discussions with the Thai EXIM Bank for a 160-million-dollar loan for the project.
Bala Ali, ISD