The MoU aims to strengthen co-operation and exchange of information between the Secretariats and to explore means of supporting NEPAD, especially in human resource development.

The visit enabled the NEPAD Secretariat to present the NEPAD programs to the Chinese Government and to discuss strategic cooperation in the priority areas of NEPAD.

It also gave NEPAD the opportunity to understand Chinese cooperation policies with African countries and hence to prepare adequately the African side that will be participating in the third Africa-China Forum due to be held this year.

Professor Mucavele met with a number of senior officials in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Health and Agriculture, and with senior officials from the provincial government of Sichuan, a province that is known for its advanced agricultural sector.

Agricultural development is the driver of African economies and we need to focus on that. China has a lot to offer in terms of its experiences in land and water management and in agricultural technologies”, the Professor said

“We need to o look into ways in which we could benefit from Chinese expertise in developing commercial farming in African countries”.

During his visit the Professor met with the presidents of a number of Chinese companies to promote NEPAD projects among the private sector and to explore possible measures for them to participate in the implementation of these projects.

“Chinese pharmaceutical companies are producing cheap drugs for diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/Aids which hit hard in Africa” said Professor Mucavele after a presentation by a pharmaceutical company that produces anti-malarial drugs.

With Chinese pharmaceutical companies and with the assistance of the Chinese Government, we could set up joint ventures with African companies to produce these drugs”, the Professor added.

As a follow-up to the visit to China by NEPAD’s Chief Executive, Prof. Firmino Mucavele, the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Liu Guijin, handed over a cheque for $500,000 from the Chinese Government at the NEPAD Secretariat headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.

The donation is for a nursing and midwifery training programme in Tanzania and Kenya to improve the levels of clinical competence in nursing and health care, to equip specialist nurses to do clinical and health systems research and to prepare nurses for HIV/Aids care. The training will take place at universities and other educational institutions.

Source : nepad news, July 28, 2006