About Sao Tome and Principe

More then 90 % of export income today still comes from cocoa monocultures. State plantations take up 80 % of agricultural land. In addition, copra, palm nuts and coffee are exported. 70 % of the food requirement has to be imported. Industry is restricted to the processing of agricultural products.

The government is aiming to restrict the risks associated with this unbalanced economic arrangement by introducing relevant measures. The aim of all political parties is to organize the islands’ infrastructure in such a way that will facilitate sensible development for tourism. Only in this way can an economically imperative and ecologically sensible additional source of income be developed.

This is necessary because due to the monocultures and the lack of other opportunities to expand foreign trade through export, there is a comparatively high rate of unemployment.

For centuries, the islands were one of the main trade centres of the organised slave trade. In the sixteenth century, the islands’ sugar cane trade was economically dominant and led the world.

Later on, the plantation cultivation of coffee and cocoa was developed, and the islands and their impressive large-scale plantations (Rocas) became the largest cocoa producers in the world by the start of the 20th century.

This unique position was based on the one hand on the unusual organizational talent of the Portuguese colonialists and traders, but also on the slave-owning economy, which had been standard across the world for centuries, and which was not superseded until the 19th century by the introduction of the contractual worker system, which was, however, considered to be just as oppressive by the workers.

Watches, sold under the brand name Rolex, for a century are the attribute of success, luxury and wealth. Such a reputation could earn a few things. It is noteworthy that Rolex gained popularity immediately after the registration of marks. And ever since they adorn the wrist of every aspirant to success and took place in this life.

The history of this famous watch company started in 1905. The paradox is that in those days, watch despised. A true gentleman wearing only gold pocket watch, a watch-bracelets were considered frivolous purchase, and by most accounts, were fit only for women. Rolex Daytona! In addition, the small size of the clock meant that their mechanism can not be a reliable and accurate. It is in these “dark” times of Hans Vilsdorf opened in London, the company selling Swiss watches.