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TICAD/UNDP and DESA/OESC are working together in order to establish an AfrAsian Exchange Desk in Madagascar under the framework of the UN Public-Private Alliance. Below is a brief information on the TICAD Exchange Network :

1. TICAD Exchange Network

TICAD Exchange Network is a first step toward building a network of Asian and African public and private sectors, as spelled out in the recommendations of the TICAD Asia-Africa Trade and Investment Conference (AATIC) held in Tokyo in November 2004. Heralded as a concrete follow up to TICAD III, AATIC brought together more than 700 delegates from 50 African nations and 14 countries from Asia along with representatives from international and regional organizations, the private sector, and NGO's.

TICAD Exchange Network aims at improving the information base on trade and investment to guide the identification of new business opportunities, and providing an online facility for information exchange among users. H.E. Junichiro Koizumi, the Prime Minister of Japan officially launched this Network during the Asian-African Business Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on 22 April 2005.

It is a web-based information network that provides a wide range of information. They include macro and micro economic indicators, data on industrial production, trade and investment policies, laws and regulations of African countries. Eight countries, namely Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zambia are selected for initial showcasing and this is soon to be expanded to cover the entire continent.

It provides a link to the trade and investment promotion sites of African governments, and relevant sources of data and case studies compiled and managed by international organizations (World Bank, UNIDO, UNCTAD) as well as research institutions.

The TICAD Exchange Network is developed and managed by the TICAD UNDP/Africa Bureau with technical support from UNIDO Exchange and fully sponsored by the Government of Japan.

More information on TICAD Exchange Network:

http://www.TICADExchange.org

2. AFRASIA Business Council (AABC)

AFRASIA Business Council (AABC) is a consultative mechanism in support of building sustainable business partnerships between Africa and Asia. It was launched in Mauritius in March 2005 as a follow-up to the TICAD III and with respect to the framework drawn by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) for its short-term action plan.

AABC focuses its action on improving the implementation of policies, promoting good practices, building capacities and providing specialized advisory services, aiming at responding to the needs of the private sector, with leading partners such as Chambers of Commerce, Business Councils and Investment Promotion Centers in Africa and Asia. AABC has the potential to make a significant contribution to the achievement of the MDGs by concretizing the appeal for an enhanced contribution of the private sector to sustainable growth made by the UN in its Framework of Action for Business and the MDGs. AABC's strategic plan of action consists of four main components: 1) Information Management; 2) Public-Private Partnership Promotion; 3) Business Ventures and Partnership; and 4) Skills and Knowledge Development.

In order to foster an environment conducive to successful investment and technology cooperation between Africa and Asia, AABC is operating a web portal called AFRASIA Exchange, which provides a virtual marketplace for investment and technology opportunities supported by the provision of specialized information, expertise and knowledge.

More information on AFRASIA Business Council:

http://www.AFRASIA.org

3. Africa Asia Business Forum (AABF)

Following the TICAD II in 1998, the face-to-face business negotiation process between qualified selected Asian and African firms was organized under TICAD through three Africa Asia Business Forums (AABF). The first AABF was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 1999, the second in Durban, South Africa in July 2001 and the third one in Dakar, Senegal in April 2004. The fourth AABF is scheduled to be held in 2006.

AABF serves as a unique opportunity for selected businesses in Africa and Asia to meet and negotiate business deals, leading to the development of business linkages and expanded trade between the two continents.