Equatorial Guinea Business Etiquette

Belying its troubled political past, Equatorial Guinea is a country of luscious vegetation and beautiful scenery, including tropical forests and snow-capped volcanoes. The capital, Malabo, is a rather rundown but attractive town, with pleasant Spanish colonial architecture, a striking volcanic setting and a lively market. The white-sand beaches around the islands are stunning. No wonder the country was first of all named 'Formosa', meaning 'beautiful', by the Portuguese.

The area was first colonised by the Portuguese in the late 15th century and handed over to the Spanish in 1788. Self-government was granted in 1959, followed by full independence in 1968.

Despite being a mainly 'undiscovered' country with a history of human rights' abuses, Equatorial Guinea's financial fortunes appear to be looking up of late, following the discovery of oil and gas deposits in the Gulf of Guinea. Although this find has not alleviated the problem of a corrupt, inept and abusive government, it might put the country back on the global map and ensure that more are aware of both this country's plight and its splendour.