INTERVIEW-Japan should focus on Africa at G8 2008-World Bank
Source: Reuters
By Yoko Nishikawa TOKYO, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Japan still has a lot to offer to poor African countries and it should make Africa a high priority when it chairs the Group of Eight summit next year, a senior World Bank official said on Friday. Colin Bruce, World Bank country director for Kenya, also called on African nations to be careful when receiving money from emerging donors such as China, saying they should fully understand the terms of the loans and ask themselves whether they are ready to accept such funding. Bruce, in Tokyo to meet Japanese government officials and other experts, told Reuters in an interview that Japan, including private-sector companies, can provide Africa with more assistance in gaining access to new technology. "Japan needs to ask itself: What's really its strategy towards Sub-Saharan Africa? What are the opportunities? What does it have to offer?," Bruce said. He added that Tokyo should use its unique role as chair of the G8 next year to ensure that Africa receives adequate attention. Bruce said he had brought up the issue at talks with Japanese government officials during his visit. "I do think it has a lot to offer besides money, which is important, no doubt. "But I want to emphasis the technology, and the special role Japan has in the global economic system over the next two years, and how it can use that to support African countries," he added. In 2005, Japan pledged to double its official development assistance to Africa over the following three years. Beside chairing the G8 process next year, Japan will also host the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in 2008. Bruce said the Washington-based development agency will keep working closely with Japan to find new ways to help Africa. One idea is a possible collaboration between a group of Japanese lawmakers focusing on the World Bank issues and a similar chapter in Kenya to strengthen parliamentary oversight in Kenya, he said. On China's growing role in supporting Africa, Bruce said there was no doubt that China had boosted its aid, but he questioned how well-prepared Africa was to take full advantage of China's interest as well as to deal with potential risks. "It happens to be China now, but could be any other countries ... What are the terms? What are repayment terms? For what purposes are those funds being used? Will they strengthen the country's ability to finance that debt?" The World Bank has been pushing an anti-corruption drive. Kenya is struggling to deal with such problems as well as a lack of transparency in governance. Bruce said the situation had improved there, although there was no room for complacency. "The situation is the one that presents concerns, but it is not a static situation," Bruce said. "Things are getting better but they can get even better. As they get even better, the private-sector will respond even more." To resolve the issue, Kenyans themselves need to want change, Bruce said. Kenya needs to increase transparency in the nation's procurement system, and it needs more judges and courts to improve its judiciary system, he added.
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