Doing Business in São Tomé and Príncipe

Syllabus of the Subject: Doing Business in São Tomé and Príncipe.

1. Introduction to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (Central Africa)
2. Economy of São Tomé and Príncipe
3. International Trade of São Tomé
4. Business Opportunities in São Tomé and Príncipe
5. Introduction to Portuguese
6. Access to the São Tomé market
7. Business Plan for São Tomé and Príncipe

The purposes of the subject “Foreign Trade and Doing Business in São Tomé and Príncipe” are the following:

1. To learn to do business in São Tomé and Príncipe
2. To evaluate the business opportunities in São Tomé and Príncipe
3. To know São Tomé and Príncipe's Trade Agreements
4. To analyse the trade relationships of São Tomé and Príncipe with the country of the student
5. To learn how to develop a business plan for the São Tomé and Príncipe

Sample of the subject - Doing Business in São Tomé and Príncipe:

Hispano-African University of International Business

Description of the Subject (Doing Business in São Tomé and Príncipe).

São Tomé and Príncipe: A “tourist country” and exporter of cocoa.

1. São Tomé and Príncipe is an insular country
2. Neighbouring countries (by sea): Gabon, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea
3. Population: 212,000 people
4. Capital of São Tomé and Príncipe: São Tomé (137,500 people)
5. Literacy rate: 70%
6. The official language is Portuguese
7. Area: 1,000 square kilometres
8. Government: Republic. Multiparty Democracy
9. Climate: tropical
10. Independence of São Tomé and Príncipe: 1975 (Portugal)

Religions in São Tomé and Príncipe

1. 80% of the population is Christian (Catholicism)
2. African Traditional Religions

São Tomé and Príncipe belongs to the Central African Economic Area (African Civilisation).

Economy of São Tomé and Príncipe:

1. Tourism and agriculture represent the largest export sectors of São Tomé and Príncipe
2. The Government has created new incentives for the promotion of free trade zones
3. GDP growth: 4% (middle-income country)
   1. 20% agriculture and forestry
   2. 19% industrial sector
   3. 61% services
4. Inflation: 7.9
5. Unemployment: 55%
6. National Currency: Dobras (STD)
7. Cash Crops: Cocoa, coffee, coconut, and pepper
8. Top export product: cocoa (95% of the total exports)
9. Top trading partners: The European Union (60% with Portugal) and Angola
10. Trade with the Economic Community of Central African States: only 2% of the total trade of São Tomé
11. Potential sectors: tourism, energy, Petrol, construction, finances, telecommunications, health, and education
12. Political stability
13. Lack of physical infrastructure
14. Weak judicial system
15. The industry of São Tomé is limited to the transformation of export agricultural products (90% of the export earnings are derived from cocoa monocultures)
16. Copra, palm kernel, and coffee are also exported
17. The State plantations occupy 80% of the crop area of Santo Tomé.
18. São Tomé and Príncipe is a flag of convenience

The entry into force of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between São Tomé and Príncipe and Portugal is one of the measures announced by the Central Bank of São Tomé.

São Tomé and Príncipe has preferential access to:

1. Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
2. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)
3. Africa-European Union Strategic Partnership (Cotonou)

São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of:

1. African Development Bank
2. New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
3. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
4. African Union (AU)
5. Afro-Arab Cooperation - Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
6. Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries
7. Africa-South America Summit (ASA)
8. World Bank (WB), United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organisation (WTO)

(c) EENI- Business School & Hispano-African University of International Business