Today marked the official start of the activities of the Equatorial Guinea-Asia Economic Forum, with the high patronage of the Head of State, His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

Guests included the Secretary General of the Communist Party of the Province of Dalian, Mr. Tang Jun, who expressed his appreciation for the visit of His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogoand for hosting the forum. Mr. Tang described the event as an “excellent opportunity to promote trust and deepen relations between companies andthe Government of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.”He stressed the long relationship between the two countries, ensuring that “Equatorial Guinea has offered the Chinese market with wide spaces of cooperation and excellent investment conditions for the past 45 years.”

Following the above, a video was presented on the future development of the Industrial City of Mbini,a special economic zonethat will comprise a wide range of industries and services.

His Excellency Obiang Nguema Mbasogo officially launched the event with an inaugural speech in which he expressed his appreciation for thelarge turnout, an estimated 500 potential Chinese investors. He also noted the importance of this event, as Equatorial Guinea opens further economic cooperation avenues to the Asian market and presents itself to the world as an investmentdestinationand aims to solidify ties between the two economic zones. “The People's Republic of China is the second largest economy with the most investment in Equatorial Guinea, and has the highest percentage of public and private enterprises that actively participate in our development," he said.

The Head of State stressed the efforts Equatorial Guinea has made in its aspiration to become the leader in economic development in the sub-region highlighting the country’s security, favorable investment environment, and strength of its institutions. “We are aware that maximum security is needed to ensure investment,” he said.“In this regard, we can confirm 45 years of experience in the cooperation between China and Equatorial Guinea; cooperation which in many ways has been possible thanks to the peace and stability that prevails in the country.”

The forum included the participation of more than 80 companies, including Chinese enterprises and other multinationals.