SEPANG, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- The President of São Tomé and Principe,Fradique De Mendez, arrived here Friday for a three-day working visit.

He was received at the KL International Airport by Minister in the PrimeMinister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

Saturday he will visit the Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB) in Bandar BaruBangi and meet senior Petronas officers in Putrajaya tomorrow.

He will visit the Sepang F1 Circuit on Sunday before flying home.

São Tomé and Principe is the smallest country in Africa, its two mainislands forming part of a chain of extinct volcanoes.

With a population of some 175,000, it has become increasingly dependent oncocoa since attaining independence 28 years ago.

However, São Tomé is optimistic that substantial petroleum discoveries areforthcoming in its territorial waters.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/tp.html