Japan - The Tokyo International Conference on Africa's Development (TICAD) is a chance to boost cooperation between Japan and the African countries, according to Presidential Spokesman Bassam Radi said on Wednesday.

In statements to Extra News channel on the sidelines of TICAD, Radi added that the conference is an important international forum and has been proven successful since its launch in 1993.

He noted that relations between Egypt and Japan are strong. Japan's investments in Egypt are the largest in an African country, he added.

In his speech at the opening session, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi expressed his appreciation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Japanese people for their efforts to set (TICAD7), currently held in Japan's Yokohama city.

Sisi added that he has the pleasure to speak at this event that brings together Africa with one of its strategic partners.

Since its launch in 1993, TICAD focused on pushing forward development efforts in the African continent, Sisi said, stressing that the African partnership within the framework of TICAD led to major achievements.

TICAD7 is held in Yokohama, Japan from August 28 to 30. It is the third time for Yokohama to host this major international event.

The forum will be attended by 1,500 Japanese businessmen, and 50 Egyptian businessmen. More than 4,500 (based on attendance of TICADV) heads of state and government, as well as representatives of international and regional organizations, civil societies, NGOs and the private sector will participate in the summit.

The agenda of the three-day forum includes several plenary sessions, in addition to around 170 various sideline sessions.

TICAD aims to promote connectivity and enhance the capacity of Africa’s private sector via technical support, experience sharing on SMEs, promotion of agro-industry expansion, and learning from Japan’s Kaize experience to leap-frog technological development in Africa.