Asian and African countries concluded a two-day meeting in Kokyo on Tuesday, agreeing to intensify Africa-led economic cooperation to help the poverty-stricken continent.

Participants affirmed in a joint policy framework that the ultimate goal of promoting trade and investment is essentially to attain poverty reduction through economic growth.

They said that "African ownership and leadership are essential for promoting trade and investment that will lead to self-reliant and sustainable development and equitable growth as well as support and cooperation of the Asian countries."

The importance of private sector was highlighted. Both sides appealed to all participating countries and organizations to "ensure political, economic and social stability, good governance and transparency over a substantial period of time" in a bid to gain the confidence of private enterprises.

They also called for improving socioeconomic conditions, such as infrastructure and human resources, and enhancing economic efficiencies.

They intend to establish an appropriate channel for networking pubic and private sectors in the two regions, which, among other things, would help stimulate the interest of the private sector inbusiness opportunities in Africa.

The conference, known as the TICAD Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference, is part of follow-up actions of the Third Tokyo International Conference on Development (TICAD III) held last year. Representatives of governments, multilateral organizations and private companies from about 60 countries and economies in the two regions attended the meeting, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Source: Xinhua