World economic forum to discuss NEPAD's implementation

The world economic forum that will start Wednesday in South Africa will focus on the implementation of NEPAD (new partnership for Africa's development), said organizers.

African political leaders and more than a hundred businessmen will meet in Durban to debate means to translate NEPAD works into "concrete economic actions" that are profitable for the continent.

The world business community and the continent's leaders will probe means to rally the private sector to NEPAD so as to integrate Africa in the world economy.

Participants will also debate the reduction of the technological gap between the African continent and countries of the North and the impact of AIDS on the African economy.

Representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and officials from more than fifteen African countries will take part in the forum, including heads of state of South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda and Madagascar.

The summit will take place two weeks after the G8 summit held in France where world leaders pledged to reinforce partnership with Africa part of NEPAD's action plan.

Adopted by African countries to rid the continent of poverty and debt, NEPAD also targets democracy and good governance as prerequisites to Africa's socio-economic integration in the world economy.