HOUSE Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. expressed hope that the historic visit of the President of Equatorial Guinea here last Sunday will most likely lead to the deployment of fishery personnel and executives to undertake fishery projects in Africa.

De Venecia hosted the visit of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo as part of the latter’s four-day state visit to the country last week.

Speaking at a news conference along with the African head of state, de Venecia said the fishery projects will be under the leadership of Mrs. Obiang, wife on the Equatorial Guinea President, who is leader of the aqua-culture movement not only in their country but also in the whole of West Africa.

He said he and BFAR National Director Malcolm Sarmiento have identified 25 Philippine species of fish that can be transplanted to Africa that could bring about fish sufficiency in Equatorial Guinea and Africa and for export to the European Union in a few years.

These include milkfish or bangus, tilapia, shrimps and others which are growing in salty, fresh and brackish water in Philippines.

De Venecia said Obiang was the first foreign leader of a country to visit the province of Pangasinan, particularly Dagupan City, and the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center in barangay Bonuan Binloc here.

He said Obiang, a soldier statesman, successfully transformed his country from poverty into a very successful economy.

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank complemented President Obiang for his success in lifting his people from poverty and in creating a strong economy for Equatorial Guinea.

He said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and President Obiang entered into a political and economic partnership that would lead even to oil concessions to the Philippines from Africa to further help the country in its oil supply needs.

Aside from aquaculture and fisheries, the two countries also entered into agreements in the areas of agriculture, education, energy, mass housing, business, transportation and public works projects.