Obiang Called For Increased Cooperation Between Africa And The United States

WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo called on American companies to increase cooperation with African countries in remarks during a meeting marking the 10^th anniversary of the Malaria Control Program on the Island of Bioko (PCBIB).

In his closing remarks, president Obiang gave his observations of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit and the discussions of African and American leaders about the possibilities for greater cooperation between the U.S. and the African continent.

"Our relationship with American companies is a clear example of a positive partnership on public and private investment that benefits both of our nations. I would like to invite other private American companies to join to this positive journey we are experiencing," said Obiang.

President Obiang highlighted the importance of the malaria-eradication program as an investment in public health in Equatorial Guinea. He said, "We have partnered with American private companies to reduce the transmission and the morbidity of this disease. For this reason, the government of Equatorial Guinea and American private partners have invested over $90 million in the last 10 years. This investment has been key to reverse the adverse tendency of this disease." 

The biggest impact of this program has been the vaccine project aimed at eliminating malaria in the country by 2020. "Equatorial Guinea is in the process of finalizing an agreement with our partners and Sanaria, an American biotechnology company specialized in malaria vaccination, to reach our objective to eradicate malaria not only from our country but the world," he said.

Since Equatorial Guinea discovered oil, the government has used its revenues to improve the quality of life of its citizens. The PCBIB is a clear example of how the government is investing oil revenues in the country. The program is sponsored by the Equatorial Guinea government, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy, AMCO Methanol, GePretrol and Sonagas.

About Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea (República de Guinea Ecuatorial) is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, and one of the smallest nations on the continent. In the late-1990s, American companies helped discover the country's oil and natural gas resources, which only within the last five years began contributing to the global energy supply. Equatorial Guinea is now working to serve as a pillar of stability and security in its region of West Central Africa. The country hosted the 2011 Summit of the African Union. For more information, visit http://www.guineaecuatorialpress.com.

SOURCE Republic of Equatorial Guinea