Call to assess effect of South-South cooperation

With trade and investment in developing countries quickly replacing aid, a customized mechanism is needed to measure the benefits of South-South cooperation, a Chinese expert told a forum in Kenya this month.

The term South-South cooperation is used to describe the exchange of resources, technology and knowledge between developing countries, the so-called global South.

However, experts say it is hard to measure where aid ends and loans as part of economic partnerships begin, resulting in much debate over China's engagement with Africa.

"We're yet to have our own mechanism (of measuring such cooperation) and instead use the old one developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which does not conform to our prevailing situation," says Li Xiaoyun, chairman of the China International Development Research Network.

He was speaking about South-South cooperation on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development held in Nairobi from July 17 to 22.

The event, organized by the Network of Southern Think Tanks and the German Development Institute, attracted experts from China, India, Indonesia, Brazil and several African nations.

The benefits from South-South cooperation, such as in infrastructure construction, are clear to see, Li says, as it is "mutual and healthy and targets prevailing needs of both partners".

Measuring such cooperation would provide a firsthand perspective and evidence-based information on how trade and cooperation helps vulnerable countries develop their own solutions, he adds.

"The information will help the global public to understand the added value of South-South cooperation compared with North-South cooperation."

However, Li, a former dean of China Agriculture University, agrees that it will take time to develop a reliable and effective mechanism.

"We have to realize that South-South cooperation will not replace North-South cooperation. It's also important to note that there is much more going on in this relationship that goes unnoticed."

In particular, he points out, China and India are important partners for Africa's development.

lucymorangi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/22/2016 page3)