In Asia's emergence,lessons for Africa

By Wang Zhenghua (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-05-16 07:05

SHANGHAI: Asia's emergence as an economic giant, increasingly powered by China and India, provides opportunities and key lessons for Africa, state heads and finance ministers of African countries said yesterday.

The officials, who spoke at ministerial roundtable discussions and high-level seminars yesterday, stressed the significance of consolidating Africa's relationship with Asia. They said this relationship - especially with China - should include new ideas to boost economic development and social progress in Africa.

The annual meetings of the AfDB, which open today in Shanghai, provide opportunities for in-depth dialogue and a platform to resolve new problems, officials said.

The development of Asia could be a role model for Africa, Paul Toungui, Gabon's Minister of State, said.

"Many nations in Asia have achieved stunning economic growth and social progress owing to their efforts in reforms and opening-up to the outside world in the past decades," said Toungui, who is also the nation's minister of Economy, Finance, Budget and Privatization.

"Now the continent has become a power engine for the world's economy. It's an ideal model for us because Africa is attempting to address the problems that plagued Asian countries many years ago and we can share their experience," he said.

Pedro Pires, Cape Verde's President, agreed that Asian and African countries could learn from each other and share their gains and losses.

"We drew lessons from both Asian and African countries, especially focusing on democracy and education of the general public," Pires said.

Amos Kimunya, Kenya's Minister of Finance, insisted that a feasible framework and a mechanism to share experiences and resources are still not in place.

Other participants at the discussions said they were impressed by the robust Chinese economy and emphasized the need to learn from China.

Marc Ravalomanana, Madagascar's President, said: "China, suffering a lot of turbulence in history, is generating eye-catching development now."

Since the birth of modern Africa, Asia has been a provider of development assistance to the newly independent countries in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, education and health.

Abdoulie Janneh, executive secretary of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, said China's hosting of the AfDB's annual meetings is an indicator of the strengthening Sino-African relationship.

(China Daily 05/16/2007 page25)