New Delhi, March 29 (IANS) Over 200 projects worth $18 billion were discussed at the India-Africa conclave that concluded here Tuesday after two days of deliberations in sectors ranging from education to energy.

Head of states, ministers, senior government officials and business leaders from 35 African countries participated at the seventh edition of the conclave, co-hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Exim Bank, in cooperation with the ministries of external affairs and commerce.

The conclave witnessed the largest ever participation with 650 delegates, who discussed 204 projects worth $18 billion.

"Some 204 projects worth $18.3 billion was discussed at the conclave. It is a great model of South-South cooperation," said B. Muthuraman, vice chairman of Tata Steel.

Muthuraman, who is also the president-designate of CII, said the Indian government and the corporate sector should play a crucial role in African economies.

"The Indian government and corporates should play greater role in capacity building and ensuring sustained development in Africa," said Muthuraman.

Speaking at the valedictory session Tuesday, Togoan Prime Minister Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo said that the partnership between India and Africa was "all about poverty allievation and wealth creation for our people".

"At a session, I was asked how many people were below the poverty line in Togo. I was not embarrassed. If it had been just 10 percent, instead of 60 percent, I would be here in India for tourism, not for them," said Houngbo, to a round of applause.

He felt that the India-African partnership has "reached a point of no return". "The only way is forward... the challenge is to deliver faster and more effectively," he added.

The Togoan leader, who had also attended last year's conclave, said that he had a "dream" to see this kind of gathering of India and African businessmen in his country's capital, Lome.

"This year's conclave witnessed the highest ever participation from both sides," ministry of external affairs Secretary (West) Vivek Katju said here.

Stating the last decade had seen a "unprecedented expansion" in Indian-African ties, Vivek Katju said that the "new framework" of cooperation is for "mutual benefit through sustainable and consultative mechanisms".

"In settling priorities, we are guided by our African partners," said Katju.

He noted that India had three tiers of engagement with Africa - at the pan-African, regional and bilateral levels.

India has extended $5.4 billion worth of lines of credit to Africa for a period of five years, since 2009-10, as well as grants of $500 million.

These financial resources have an "effective catalyst" to move the Indian private sector to Africa. Katju also referred to the fact that 19 African countries have so far taken advantage of India's duty free tariff scheme for less developed countries.

The second India-Africa summit will be held in May at Addis Ababa, which hosts the headquarters of the African Union.

"The preparations for the summit are on track," Katju asserted, noting that he was confident that the partnership will go from strength to strength.

The current volume of trade between India and Africa is $45 billion, with a target of $75 billion set for 2015.

In the last six conclaves 1,084 projects worth $56.08 billion were discussed. In the previous edition of the event, 157 projects worth $10 billion were discussed.

The 8th conclave will be held in New Delhi March 18-20, 2012, an official said.