KOLKATA | Jan 13, 2016: The ministry of mines, industry and energy of Equatorial Guinea will host a one-day forum in New Delhi to promote investment opportunities in its energy, hydrocarbons and industrial sectors.

The Equatorial Guinea-India Hydrocarbons & Industry Forum will be held at The Leela Palace on January 22.

The Equatorial Guinea-India Hydrocarbons & Industry Forum will coincide with the India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India in New Delhi from January 20-22. The forum will feature presentations by top ministry officials, including Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima, the minister of mines, industry and energy. The ministry will present its policy and regulatory framework and the prime investment prospects in the oil and gas and industrial sectors. Some of the key opportunities on showcase will be offshore hydrocarbon exploration, mining, petrochemicals the industrial city of Mbini and the Bioko Oil Terminal.

"India is a valued trade partner of Equatorial Guinea," said Lima. "With several projects under development, we are eager to extend multiple investment opportunities to Indian enterprises and enhance our energy cooperation."

Equatorial Guinea has made great strides to expand trade relations with Asian economies, which are major importers of African oil and gas. Last April, President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo led a state visit to China that resulted in significant trade and cooperation agreements, including a $2-billion deal for infrastructure funding from the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. In the industrial city of Dalian, the Equatorial Guinea Government hosted a trade and forum to promote multiple sectors of its economy. A resounding success, the forum finished with the signing of 6 memoranda of understanding for energy and industry projects between Equatorial Guinea and Chinese companies.

India is the world's third largest consumer of oil, relying mostly on imports to fuel its economy. Its imports of Equatorial Guinea crude oil and gas totaled $385 million in 2013. As the third largest oil and gas producer in Sub-Saharan Africa and big projects on tap across the energy supply chain, Equatorial Guinea offers India a golden opportunity for new areas of cooperation.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)