Stressing that Asia can offer crucial expertise and funding to help build Africa's future, Japan is hosting a conference to encourage investment and development in the Sub-Sahara region.

The largest-ever TICAD-sponsored Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference kicks off today with ideas on ways to overcome security problems, lack of infrastructure and obstacles to good governance so as to coax Asian businesses to loosen their purse strings.

The event follows last year's third Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).

For Tokyo, the two-day event is also a chance to push for reform of the United Nations Security Council, of which Japan is seeking permanent membership.

Government representatives from about 50 African and Asian countries will attend. Among heads of state expected are Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.

The two are to meet separately with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to discuss ways to reform the United Nations, and other issues.

Experts say that greater investment is key to lifting developing African countries out of poverty and moving toward prosperity. They point out that Asia, with many newly industrialized economies, can offer experience when it comes to ideas on how to revamp African economies.

Last year's TICAD adopted a declaration to promote economic growth, emphasizing that ``south-south cooperation,'' or programs initiated by former developing countries, was vital for successful development.

``It was agreed at last year's meeting that investment, particularly from the Asia region, could help push forward economic growth and poverty reduction, both goals of TICAD,'' said Takashi Tamaki, an official with the Foreign Ministry's bureau of Middle Eastern and African affairs.

Projects are under way or being set up in Uganda, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and the Ivory Coast. Among Asian countries, Thailand, Malaysia, India, South Korea and China have been looking for African investment opportunities in mining and manufacturing.

The conference will examine successful projects and describe problems encountered.

Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa will hold a reception today for all participants.(IHT/Asahi: November 1,2004)