SHANGHAI: Madagascar aims to enhance its capacity for self-development through win-win cooperation with China and the rest of the world.

Marc Ravalomanana, president of the African island nation in the Indian Ocean, articulated his vision for his country on his visit to the city as a participant in the 2007 annual meetings of the African Development Bank Group.

He said in an interview that one of the major challenges faced by Madagascar is transforming a state of bare survival to a state of creative and productive living.

While he stressed the importance of channeling more funds into Africa, he also explained that: "What we need is not only the money to fund the projects but also aid to support visionary development, which requires discipline, hard work, partnership and creativity to achieve."

The president praised China's reform and opening-up processes and its economic progress, saying stronger China-Madagascar ties will provide an impetus to his country's economy.

He said he would like to expand collaboration with China in the fields of infrastructure construction, healthcare and education.

President Ravalomanana said the lack of related infrastructure presents a physical barrier to development. The lack of talented leadership is also a challenge that his nation has to face up to.

He said China is much more advanced than Madagascar and has a good track record in attracting investment. Madagascar would like to learn from China's experience in this regard.

"We have to establish the right environment for foreign investment as well as for the private sector," he said, noting that his country has recently created an Economic Development Board to help it meet this challenge.

Africa needs a strong private sector that can serve as an important engine of economic growth, he said. "We are opening our doors to work together with the world."

The president said the main purpose behind his participation in this banking event is to tell the international community exactly what the reality is for poor developing African countries and what needs to be done to improve their situation.

He said the African Development Bank is working hard to help his nation and he is looking forward to see more efforts in the future.

(China Daily 05/18/2007 page18)