By Maria Martinez, Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Kopano Gumbi DURBAN (Reuters) -Finance chiefs from the Group of 20 countries stressed the importance of central bank independence while pledging to boost cooperation in a joint statement issued on Friday after a two-day meeting in South Africa.

The Norwegian finance minister said that despite their differences, the countries around the table had been able to agree on a communique ‘that sets out important principles’.

Finance chiefs of G20 countries expressed optimism for an agreement on a common position on trade and other global challenges on Friday despite U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs which have overshadowed their meeting.