Senegal leader visits China

West African nation's president expresses desire to expand business relations

China already plays a key role in Senegal's economic development, but the African country seeks more cooperation from China's private sector, Senegalese President Macky Sall said after arriving in Beijing on Sunday for a three-day state visit.

Sall is the first African leader to be invited to China by President Xi Jinping this year.

Sall said China has become one of the biggest development partners on the African continent, allowing countries, including his, to diversify their outside ties and seek new opportunities.

"Today we want to focus on how China will support the development of Senegal," Sall said, referring to an "ambitious program" that will be presented to the international community.

Senegal is looking for annual growth rates of 7 to 8 percent to establish itself as an emerging country by 2017.

Sall said cooperation with more companies from China is vital for job creation and infrastructure development.

"When energy costs are very high, it affects the competitiveness of Senegal's economy. We therefore need financial support from our traditional Western partners, as well as from China, and from both public and private sectors, to develop in these areas," he said.

Senegal has identified areas in which "the public sector can intervene" and others where the country will seek private investment, he said.

"We have also defined the public-private partnership program," Sall said, "and I believe the Chinese private sector has a role to play."

He added that "We are ready to work together" as economic growth will require a combined effort.