SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The 3rd Common Market of East and South Africa (COMESA) Investment Forum kicked off here with an aim to lure investment to the countries of the regional bloc.

The two-day forum is expected to address key investment opportunities on the sectors relevant to the region and Africa as a whole.

The discussions will cover investment in infrastructure, agro- processing, renewable energy, financial services and tourism.

The forum, organized by COMESA Regional Investment Agency (RIA), in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Investment and Egyptian General Authority for Investment (GAFI), will also take up mechanisms to finance investment projects and means to improve the climate of investment in COMESA's 19 member states.

COMESA was established in 1994 as an organization of free independent sovereign states which have agreed to cooperate in developing their natural and human resources with wide-ranging series of objectives including in its priorities the promotion of peace and security in the region.