The Korean Strategy and Finance Ministry and the Import-Export Bank of Korea, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) will, from 27-30 October in Seoul, organize the 2008 Ministerial Conference on Economic Cooperation between Korea and Africa (KOAFEC) on the theme: "Promoting Synergies between Africa and Korea".

The Conference to be held on the theme, "Fostering Synergies between Africa & Korea," aims at strengthening cooperation ties between KOAFEC partners in the pursuit of their mutual interests. Participants will discuss major economic development issues with special focus on sharing Korea's economic development experiences with African partners engaged in various reforms and transformation on the political and economic scene.

The first KOEAFEC was held in Seoul in 2006 and has since become the permanent framework for economic cooperation between the two sides.

The conference will bring together several African ministers, delegations from the African Development Bank Group, renowned universities, heads of government agencies and chief executives of Korean companies.

KOAFEC was established jointly by the Korean government and the AfDB in 2006 to strengthen Korea-Africa economic cooperation. It has become a key channel in Korea-Africa partnership in a number of areas, notably sharing Korea's economic development experience and developing energy resources, IT and human resources.

CONTACT: Magatte Wade - Tel.: +216 7110 32 44 - E-mail: m.wade@afdb.orgSeoul Hosts Third Africa-Korea Economic Cooperation Conference