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The International Sugar Organization (ISO) has invited former President John Agyekum Kufuor to attend its 20th jubilee seminar scheduled to take place between November 29 and 30, 2011 in London. ISO is the biggest intergovernmental commodity organisation worldwide. The organisation is based in London, and its 86 member states represents 83 per cent of the world�s sugar production, 69 per cent of world consumption, 95 per cent of world exports and 47 per cent of world imports. The ISO seminar is considered as one of the most prestigious sugar and ethanol conferences worldwide, attracting more than 400 delegates from 60-70 countries. A statement issued by the organisation and copied to CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE said the forthcoming seminar will take place in a much more favourable economic climate than its last three predecessor events, when the economic crisis had a strong impact on the sugar beet and cane based industries. �Internationally renowned, top-class speakers will give their assessment and outlook on policy, market and financial drivers relevant to the future development of sugar in the coming years,� the statement noted. The Chairman of the 20th jubilee seminar will be Ambassador Fernando Nebbia, President of Centro Azucarero Argentino. Ambassador Nebbia is an internationally highly respected personality with a distinguished career in government and industry. Relatively high sugar prices, the ever increasing demand for sugar and renewable energy from ethanol and co-generation, as well as bio-products are offering new opportunities and options which are all strong indicators of a promising future. One of the measures taken by the Kufuor administration was to register Ghana to become a member of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) in the later part of 2008 as part of measures to revive the ailing sugar industry. Ghana is currently the 84th member of ISO and her presence in the organization has further strengthened the African nations during negotiation. ISO is a unique inter-governmental body devoted to improving conditions on the world�s sugar market through debate, analysis, special studies, transparent statistics, seminars, conferences and workshops. ISO will provide Ghana with market information and market analysis from recognized leading analysts with an independent view point and objective to increase market transparency. In addition, Ghana�s membership in the ISO will also increase its influence in the international sugar sector. Although ISO is an intergovernmental organization and therefore the government becomes a member, member-states are encouraged, where they feel it appropriate, to include in their delegations, representatives and advisers from the private sector. Sugar cane has been cultivated in Ghana since 1940 for consumption and production of crude sugar. Ghana has over the years depended on sugar for all the commercial sugar requirements. Agricultural research into sugarcane began in early 1963 and the results of the research confirmed that the country is suitable for the production of sugar cane both geographically and climatically and has the potential to be self-sufficient in the supply of sugar. Consequently in the same year (1963), the Government took bold step to install mills for processing sugar cane. By 1967, two sugar factories had been established in the country at Asutuare in the Eastern region and Komenda in the Central region. The Asutuare factory commenced in 1966 with a related capacity of 30,000 tones of sugar yearly. The sugar plant at Komenda, on the other hand, started operations in 1967 with related capacity of 15,000 tones of sugar annually. The two factories have ceased production and Ghana continues to import sugar to satisfy all requirements which currently stands at about 200,000 tones of sugar valued at about $100 million. Market watchers say importation of sugar is likely to rise in future if nothing is done to revamp the country�s sugar industry. The Market watchers believe that Ghana, presently a member of the International Sugar Organization, is poised to boost the sugar industry.