This information is derived from the State Department's Office of Investment Affairs' 2015 Investment Climate Statement. Any questions on the ICS can be directed to EB-ICS-DL@state.gov
Last Published: 6/15/2016

The laws and regulations that affect direct investment, including environmental rules and health and safety regulations, apply equally to foreign and domestic firms.  STP tax laws reward Sao Tomeans who return to their home country, while also containing provisions for attracting non-Sao Tomean personnel to live and work in STP.

Labor, health, and safety laws exist but are haphazardly enforced.  There are some reports that the process of terminating unsatisfactory employees is cumbersome and that protective labor laws make it very difficult to bring skilled foreign specialists such as pilots, engineers, or architects to work in STP.

The MCC Threshold Program provided a range of assistance to customs and finance departments, including training in auditing, collection registration, returns processing, public affairs, forms development, and information technology.  As a result of the MCC program, STP replaced the information technology systems that the Department of Taxation previously used and established a network connecting the primary revenue-producing departments of the government (the Central Bank, the Single Window for Business or one-stop shop, and the Department of the Treasury) to increase revenue collection.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.