Kumasi — The Ashanti King is expected to hold bilateral talks with the Israeli Prime Minister, Shimon Perez, and other high profile dignitaries in the country, with the aim of exploring avenues towards the development of the Ashanti Region.

Speaking to a cross section of the media before departure, the Asantehene said the major aim of his visit was to interact with the Israeli leadership to seek support towards the construction of major infrastructural projects in the Kumasi Metropolis.

The projects, according to the Asantehene, include the establishment of a real estate at Aprabong near Atonsu, construction of a shopping mall at Bantama and a by-pass at Ahodwo to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Also to feature prominently in the seven-day visit of the Ashanti King would include the construction of the Sunshine City Project at Race Course and the Kumasi Central Market.

The Asantehene said he was particularly worried at the delay of the Race Course project and the increasing traffic congestion in the city, and said he hoped to explore the possibilities of securing development partners to embark on the project.

According to him, the development of the region would require lots of support from all quarters, including external support, and noted that the visit would be a positive one, that will inure to the benefit of the people of Ashanti and Ghana as a whole. The Asantehene, who was accompanied on his visit by some staff at the Manhyia Palace, is expected to return home on Monday.