Month: December 2013

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agapito Mba Mokuy, held several meetings on Wednesday 17 December, including sessions with the ambassadors of Cuba, France, Ivory Coast and the charge d’affaires of the Egyptian Embassy. The meetings served to renew Equatorial Guinea’s good relations with these countries before the government takes its Christmas and New Year break.

Sherif Zahran, charge d’affaires for the Egyptian Embassy, requested Equatorial Guinea’s support for Egypt’s proposed re-entry into the African Union, after being suspended this year.

French Ambassador Francois Barateau discussed the security situation in the Central African Republic and thanked Equatorial Guinea for its support in the mission, after 200 Equatoguinean soldiers were sent as peace-keepers.

Both the Ambassador of the Ivory Coast, Fatoumata Toure, and the Ambassador of Cuba, Pedro Dona Santana, discussed greater cooperation with Equatorial Guinea.

Read more: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=4621

A new documentary looking at Equatorial Guinea’s Horizon 2020 development programme is to be shown on Channel News Asia from Wednesday 18 December. Produced by Global Television and supported by the Ministry of Information, Press and Radio, the documentary – Equatorial Guinea – Horizon 2020 – will be shown in regions including the Middle East, China, Australia and India. A trailer for the documentary has been released, and can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/81582043

The film features interviews with various government ministers, including the Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy and the Minister of the Economy, as well as directors from companies including Hilton Hotels, CCEI Bank, China Road & Bridge Company and Somagec. These interviews give a glimpse into the progress seen in Equatorial Guinea, explaining how the Horizon 2020 project is being undertaken to diversify the economy and expand the country’s infrastructure.

Read more: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=4617

12.12.13

US Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, Mark L. Asquino opened the new US Embassy complex in Malabo on Wednesday 11th December.  US Department of State Under Secretary for Management, Patrick F. Kennedy. Ignacio Milam Tang, First Vice President for Presidential Affairs and Vicente Ehate Tomi, Prime Minister for Administrative Coordination were among the government ministers in attendance at the opening ceremony.

Beginning with a moment of silence to commemorate the late Nelson Mandela, the ceremony served to symbolise the positive relationship between Equatorial Guinea and the US. Under Secretary Patrick F. Kennedy said “This new Embassy symbolizes the ongoing commitment of the United States with Equatorial Guinea and the friendship of our peoples. It also reflects the remarkable development that has occurred in the infrastructure of Equatorial Guinea in just a few years.”

The new 12.5 acre complex includes several office buildings, a pavilion, Chief and Deputy Chief of Mission residences, staff accommodation and recreational facilities. Designed by Karn Charuhas Chapman & Twohey and built by Caddell Construction, the complex includes energy-efficiency features, such as an energy recovery unit and water-conserving plumbing. The project was built using local and recycled materials and has been recognised as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design facility.

Read more: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/218626.htm

Read more: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=4602

11.12.13

A new conference for international investors, Emerging Equatorial Guinea, is to be held in Malabo from 3 – 4 February 2014. The event will be a unique forum, exploring the extensive investment opportunities Equatorial Guinea has to offer.

The conference will include high-level panel discussions, collaborate council sessions and coordinated one-on-one meetings. Participants will be able to talk directly with ministers, shaping policy and identifying key factors for an attractive business climate. This event will provide valuable insights into this dynamic African economy, bringing together top industry and policy leaders to provide advice and discussion on investing in Equatorial Guinea.

For more information, visit http://www.emergingeg.com/

07.12.2013

It is with the deepest shock and sadness that we’ve learned of the passing of Nelson Mandela on 5 December 2013. The Republic of Equatorial Guinea, through its embassy in the United Kingdom, sends its heartfelt condolences to the people of the Republic of South Africa and to all nations of the world for this irreparable loss.

Madiba, the iconic freedom fighter, fought for all of us, hoped for all of us, in his love of all of us: we must now embody his legacy of hope, peace, justice and tolerance and become his living memorial through our actions.

Equatorial Guinea stands with the Republic of South Africa wholeheartedly in the celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela, who in turn inspired the lives of so many. We praise and thank God Almighty for having allowed us to share with Madiba his time on Earth.

God has certainly blessed our existence.

05.12.13

Bariobe public school has reopened after undergoing restoration work, fully funded and overseen by Marathon Oil. The restoration included renovations of the main school and preschool buildings, improved accommodation for teachers and new school furniture, toilets and play areas.

The work was funded by Marathon Oil as part of its programme of corporate social responsibility, which is also partly sponsored by the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Energy.

The school reopened on 22 November with an official inauguration ceremony, led by the Secretary of State for Primary and Secondary Education, Pascual Ondo Masa.

Read more: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=4566

05.12.13

The United Nations General Assembly has declared that Equatorial Guinea is no longer classified as a Least Development Country (LDC). An indication of Equatorial Guinea’s progress, the country is no longer classed as an LDC due to its decreasing poverty, improved human resources and strengthening economy.

The UN characterises LDCs as countries with the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development and the lowest ratings in the Human Development Index. Countries are declassified when they meet the following criteria:

• Three-year average GNI per capita exceeds $1,190
• Nutrition, health, education and adult literacy indicators improve
• The economy stabilises, with strengthening agricultural production, exports and diversification and the percentage of the population displaced by natural disasters is reduced

Read more: http://www.un.org/News/fr-press/docs/2013/AG11462.doc.htm

03.12.2013

The National University of Equatorial Guinea has co-signed a letter of intent with the President of Texas Tech University to establish a future relationship. The two universities will collaborate on the development and exchange of data, publications and other materials, sharing information on seminars and scientific meetings organised by each university. Student exchange programmes will also be encouraged as part of the partnership.

Texas Tech University is a major research university with over 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students on a range of courses in the sciences, law, arts and humanities. The collaboration comes as Equatorial Guinea looks to build partnerships with institutions across the world, especially in the engineering, agriculture and tourism sectors.

Texas Tech President M. Duane Nellis said in a statement to the media: “We look forward to a productive collaboration that will undoubtedly benefit both institutions in various ways.” He added: “This is a perfect match for Texas Tech.”

Texas Tech faculty will be invited to visit Equatorial Guinea and learn more about the National University and its curriculum. A Texas Tech professor will also be invited to teach several courses in Business Administration at the National University.

Read more: http://www.dailytoreador.com/news/article_65a38b66-5269-11e3-b182-0019bb30f31a.html

Read more: http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com/noticia.php?id=4558

29.11.13

Equatorial Guinea is set to become the first country in Africa to have a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility. Energy Minister Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima said in a statement that the facility would have a planned capacity of 2.5 million tonnes a year, with production aiming to take place in 2016.

The Minister stated that the government is working in partnership with Singapore-based Keppel Corporation – the world’s largest offshore drilling rig builder – to build the facility. “The bulk of the investment will come from the government of Equatorial Guinea, Keppel and a third party. We will announce very soon who is in these discussions” he said during an oil and gas industry conference in Singapore on Thursday.

The third party is widely expected to be from Asia, with Equatorial Guinea recently strengthening its trade links in China and Japan.

Read more: http://www.bdlive.co.za/africa/africanbusiness/2013/11/29/floating-gas-storage-a-first-for-equatorial-guinea