The third Central Region Trade and Investment Fair dubbed: 'Central Expo 24', has begun in the historic city of Cape Coast. Many local and international exhibitors have gathered at the Adisadel College School Park, the venue of Expo 2024, for the eight-day event. On display are diverse goods and services for the public and the investment community. These include jewelry, clothing, beverages, agrochemicals, handicrafts, and herbal products Service providers include tour operators, insurance providers, banks, educational institutions, hotels, and government agencies such as the Food and Drugs Authority. On the theme: 'Connecting minds, creating business opportunities in the Central Region,' many vendors have taken advantage of the opportunities the expo presented to make some sales. The Expo aims to provide business prospects in technology transfer and employment partnerships to display the investment potentials of the region and propel it towards accelerated development. The fair features exhibitors fro m the 22 metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies in the region, with an additional two days for business forum for creative ideas to explore opportunities and solutions for mutual benefit. Prime innovations for this year's celebration include a farmers' market, free health screenings, children's playground, agro-processing, and tourism development supported by the Ghana Tourism Authority. Mrs Justina Marigold Assan, the Regional Minister, in a speech read on her behalf at the opening ceremony, said the objective of the fair was to stimulate economic activities across the region and beyond, harness economic potentials, and focus on the development of agribusiness. It was a locally conceived initiative aligned with the Regional Coordinating Council's Development Strategy and Transformative Agenda to promote the Central Region in the areas of trade, tourism, and investment, she said. She commended the diligent members of the Central Expo 23 steering committee for their efforts in ensuring the succes s of the event. Odeefuo Amoakwa Buadu VIII, the President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs, praised the fair as a commendable initiative and called for collaborative efforts from stakeholders in the region. He expressed the region's aspiration for increased industrial activities to drive development. Odeefuo Buadu emphasised that the fair needed the full support of traditional leaders in the region. He noted that the expo would cultivate an environment to empower young people to pursue their entrepreneurial endeavours with confidence. 'I am optimistic that the outcomes of this fair will contribute to shaping the new Central Region we aspire to see…, 'he noted. Source: Ghana News Agency