IDB prepares for Japan conference

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GINOWAN, Japan, April 9 (UPI) -- The Inter-American Development Bank was preparing Saturday to begin its annual meeting in Ginowan, Japan.

The bank's three-day meeting, scheduled to begin Sunday, is expected to focus on ways to assist development in Latin American and Caribbean economies and boost trade and investment between the region and Asia, the Kyodo news agency reported.

The meeting, chaired by Japanese Finance Minister Sadakazu Tanigaki, will bring together officials from the 47 IDB member countries, including the presidents of Bolivia, Colombia, Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

IDB President Enrique Iglesias has said Asia and Latin America would benefit from expanding intraregional trade and investment.

"While Latin America has increased its trade with most regions of the world over the past decade, its trade with Asia-Pacific has been particularly dynamic," Iglesias said.