DAKAR, Feb. 17 -- Senegal's President Macky Sal urged China to support the country's development as it has done elsewhere on the African continent, in the "spirit of win-win partnership."

Sall was speaking during an interview with Chinese media before leaving on Wednesday for Beijing, the first visit by African president this year.

While hailing the entry of Chinese companies into Senegal, Sall called for cooperation of private sectors between the two countries.

"It is important that there's a partnership between Chinese companies and the Senegalese private sector in the projects that we shall jointly initiate with the Chinese side. There should be employment on both sides so that both sides benefits from the partnership. This is the spirit that should guide our future partnership," Senegal's president explained.

"Since we have a number of initiatives that will be launched, in which Chinese companies have already positioned themselves in, there should be a place for joint-ventures with Senegalese companies or collaboration," he continued.

Speaking of his economic vision, Emerging Senegal, Sall affirmed that the objective of the economic vision is to have the economy grow between 7 to 8 percent in the next 10 years.

"It is on this basis that we shall achieve the emerging economy status. But we shall need to make good use of Senegal's strengths and try to neutralize the weaknesses," he said.

Enumerating some of Senegal's strengths, Sall said they include, among others, political stability, good geographic position, well trained youthful population and respect for the rule of law.

"We also have the desire to improve the investment climate in Senegal. There are still some challenges, but we are doing everything possible to address them," the president concluded.