Most of the territory of Equatorial Guinea is forest area. In its largest, part of primary forests unaltered by human activity that can be a source of income for the country as a recipient of emission and nature tourism rights. While agriculture is currently focused above all self -consumption.
Issues as if it is possible to compatible the conservation of the primary forest with the development of agricultural and timber activity, commercial and cooperation possibilities between equatorial guinea and Spain, etc., are questions for which an answer was sought at the discussion table convened for the reason under the title «Equatorial Guinea Nature in its splendor». In it they shared their knowledge and experience on the ground Francisco J. Cabezas, professor of the Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution of the UCM that participated in the project «Flora of Equatorial Guinea» as a researcher of the Royal Botanical Garden of the CSIC; Silvia Carvalho, CEO of KBCF Consultores; TENENCENO ONDO ABAGA NCHAMA, CEO DE AFROM EXPORTS AND JESUS SUSO, CEO DE AVANTE AND WAS MODERED BY EVA MARTÍNEZ RULL, editor of the V on Friday of La Razón.
In their first intervention they all explained their link with equatorial guinea. The businessman Jesus Suso referred a conversation with the ambassador of the African country in Spain «I appreciated that there was a great market opportunity, but and practically nothing in marketing and advertising. We open there an Avante office and, really, beyond the professional my experience there is that it is an exciting country. It is a little piece of Spain in center of Africa, a special site ».
TENENCENO ONDO ABAGA NCHAMA, as a native of Equatorial Guinea, «I have always been linked to Spain for residence, for work and family. In addition, as an entrepreneur, I try to create a bridge between Guinea in Spain and Spain and interconnect again what historically has been the same culture represented in center of Africa. In practice, export the Spanish gastronomic brand to that area of the world for the hospitality channel and, on the other hand, promote the introduction of agricultural products of Equatorial Guinea in Europe through Spain ».
Sara Carvalho stressed that «as a financial consulting company, for us, Equatorial Guinea is a strategic country, both for its historical relationship with Spain and for its situation in center of Africa, it has many possibilities of development, specifically in regard to to conservation of nature and agricultural. But also in renewable energies, such as wind ».
What is about to do
Francisco J. Cabezas said that, «as a CSIC researcher and current to the country through institutions responsible for conservation, and education and educational projects at all levels. Focused above all to the importance of including biodiversity and nature within all development plans and projects ».
One of the pending tasks that the country has is, according to heads «to continue advancing in having a general biodiversity inventory, specifically the flora. It is essential to define conservation strategies and do stable projects. We think there must be between 4,500 and 6,000 species of flora. It would be as rich as the Iberian Peninsula, with the difference that the Guinea surface is equivalent to Galicia ». For heads, “from the tourist point of view, conservation has an immense potential for the development of infrastructure, projects and companies focused on nature.”
For his part, Jesus Suso stressed that «Guinea could be like the African Costa Rica. Its nature can be an economic resource of the future equivalent to what oil has been ». As for agricultural development «it has an almost infinite potential. It is one of the most fertile countries in the world, but it matters more than 90% of what it eats. It is a contradiction ». And stressed that “the vast majority of agricultural farms are subsistence and to sell in the closest markets.” As far as energy is concerned, «the Guinea government has a plan with 2035 on the horizon to diversify the economy and stop depending absolutely on oil and gas, and have a brutal renewable energy potential. So they are very receptive to the companies to establish themselves to generate investments in this sector ».
Silvia Carvalho, considers that “so that these opportunities are reality, it is necessary to create more stable ties with private companies in all areas already mentioned, agricultural, environment and energy, because they are the ones that can help grow a country. A plan are written intentions, but it is necessary to start them and start them ».
TENENCENO ONDO, put the accent on the need to «have instruments, in addition to people. In Guinea the political will exists, but you need to endow the skeleton to operate the machine. In agriculture, for example, crops such as pineapple have no way out because we do not have the necessary infrastructure: food conservation cameras, certifiers to comply with the regulations required by markets. And with cocoa the same happens, not having certificates is not valued. Therefore, -concupes- there are no incentives or expectations for the local entrepreneur to market their products. And yet, in addition to the internal we have a potential foreign market in central Africa
of more than 500 million people ». Therefore, it considers it necessary to update the entity responsible for coordinating production and marketing. And to the potential investors who collaborate with the creation and construction of these resources, to create a solid productive structure and to help, because we are very receptive ».
Outstanding
“The environment can be an economic resource for the future of Guinea equivalent to what oil has been”
Jesus Suso
“We have the plans and will, but it is necessary to provide the muscle system to operate the machine”
TENENCENO ONDO ABAGA
“Because of its historical relationship with Spain and its situation in Africa, it has many development possibilities”
Sara Carvalho
“Guinean nature houses 4,400 to 6,000 species of flora. Its conservation is a huge tourist asset “
Francisco J. Cabezas