 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Economic growth remains sustained in 2008
From the General Economy Division:
On the basis of the economic indicators for the first quarter 2008, business excluding oil increased by 5% and oil production increased 1.3%, leading to favourable growth of the Gross Domestic Product - 416% in terms of volume - according to Mr Paul Bongué Boma, General Director of the Economy at the Finance Ministry.
The General Director of the Economy, Mr Paul Bongué Boma, on the basis of economic indicators of the past three months of the current year, gave an idea of the actual growth of economic activity, which remained sustained in 2008. After recording a slowdown to 1.2% in 2006, Gabon’s economy speeded up considerably in 2007, reaching a rate of growth of 5.5%. This is the trend towards which the country’s economy is moving in 2008, with a 4.6% increase (global growth of GDP in terms of volume).
In the plateaus of the Gabonese economy, it is observed that the non-oil sector benefited from the effects induced by structural reforms instigated a few years previously with the support of the international financial organisations. "Reforms oriented towards the diversification of the national economy. A policy which, after all, is beginning to bear fruit, at least up till now" indicated the General Director of the Economy. It should be noted that, in the primary sector, the economy’s forestry activity recorded a significant rise in the production of undressed timber.
At the end of the first three months of the year 2008, this sector is marked by an increase in the value of wood exports, all species taken together, under the effect of the high demand from Asia, in particular China and the late attribution of quotas in the month of March. Exports amounted to 509,670 m3 at the end of March 2008, which is a recovery of 7.9% compared to the year 2007. “However, the stagnation of the international tropical wood market, in particular in Asia (China) and Europe (France and Italy), points to a reversal of the economic situation in this sector” indicates Mr Paul Bongué Boma.
Manganese production is expected to rise considerably, to around 18.5% according to the forecasts for the whole of 2008. Already at the end of the first three months of 2008, the rise stood at 10.7% for a volume of 846,467 tonnes, driven by the continually growing demand from the international steel market. In parallel, exports grew 2.5% over the same period.
RATE OF INFLATION
As for oil production, the rate of growth is 1.3% compared to 1.7% in 2007 over the whole year, even if, according to the General Director of the Economy, “economic indicators show a slight slowdown in the first quarter 2008, essentially related to the strike by Shell Gabon employees and to the ageing of the majority of the mature fields”.
The secondary sector recorded a clear improvement in performance with 8.2% compared to 6.1% in 2007, driven by the recovery of refinery production, as well as that of the “other industries” branch, despite the drop in production of refined products, in the first quarter, related to the technical shutdown that occurred in February and March 2008. As for consumer prices, there is reason to note that we are witnessing a return of inflationary tensions. A situation which results from the steep rise in the prices of foodstuffs, particularly meat and fish, observed from 2007. The rate of inflation should, on average, reach 3.8% in 2008 compared to 5.0% in 2007.
Note that the General Economy Division (which depends on the Gabon Finance Ministry) was set up by decree no. 963/PR/MINCOFlN dated 22 June 1974. This administrative structure comprises four divisions and has the mission of analysing, orienting and promoting the national economy. It is currently involved in drafting the next edition of the economic indicators (situation 2007 and outlook for 2008-2009), to be published in the near future.
L'Union Plus Newspaper, 08/02-03/2008
On the basis of the economic indicators for the first quarter 2008, business excluding oil increased by 5% and oil production increased 1.3%, leading to favourable growth of the Gross Domestic Product - 416% in terms of volume - according to Mr Paul Bongué Boma, General Director of the Economy at the Finance Ministry.
The General Director of the Economy, Mr Paul Bongué Boma, on the basis of economic indicators of the past three months of the current year, gave an idea of the actual growth of economic activity, which remained sustained in 2008. After recording a slowdown to 1.2% in 2006, Gabon’s economy speeded up considerably in 2007, reaching a rate of growth of 5.5%. This is the trend towards which the country’s economy is moving in 2008, with a 4.6% increase (global growth of GDP in terms of volume).
In the plateaus of the Gabonese economy, it is observed that the non-oil sector benefited from the effects induced by structural reforms instigated a few years previously with the support of the international financial organisations. "Reforms oriented towards the diversification of the national economy. A policy which, after all, is beginning to bear fruit, at least up till now" indicated the General Director of the Economy. It should be noted that, in the primary sector, the economy’s forestry activity recorded a significant rise in the production of undressed timber.
At the end of the first three months of the year 2008, this sector is marked by an increase in the value of wood exports, all species taken together, under the effect of the high demand from Asia, in particular China and the late attribution of quotas in the month of March. Exports amounted to 509,670 m3 at the end of March 2008, which is a recovery of 7.9% compared to the year 2007. “However, the stagnation of the international tropical wood market, in particular in Asia (China) and Europe (France and Italy), points to a reversal of the economic situation in this sector” indicates Mr Paul Bongué Boma.
Manganese production is expected to rise considerably, to around 18.5% according to the forecasts for the whole of 2008. Already at the end of the first three months of 2008, the rise stood at 10.7% for a volume of 846,467 tonnes, driven by the continually growing demand from the international steel market. In parallel, exports grew 2.5% over the same period.
RATE OF INFLATION
As for oil production, the rate of growth is 1.3% compared to 1.7% in 2007 over the whole year, even if, according to the General Director of the Economy, “economic indicators show a slight slowdown in the first quarter 2008, essentially related to the strike by Shell Gabon employees and to the ageing of the majority of the mature fields”.
The secondary sector recorded a clear improvement in performance with 8.2% compared to 6.1% in 2007, driven by the recovery of refinery production, as well as that of the “other industries” branch, despite the drop in production of refined products, in the first quarter, related to the technical shutdown that occurred in February and March 2008. As for consumer prices, there is reason to note that we are witnessing a return of inflationary tensions. A situation which results from the steep rise in the prices of foodstuffs, particularly meat and fish, observed from 2007. The rate of inflation should, on average, reach 3.8% in 2008 compared to 5.0% in 2007.
Note that the General Economy Division (which depends on the Gabon Finance Ministry) was set up by decree no. 963/PR/MINCOFlN dated 22 June 1974. This administrative structure comprises four divisions and has the mission of analysing, orienting and promoting the national economy. It is currently involved in drafting the next edition of the economic indicators (situation 2007 and outlook for 2008-2009), to be published in the near future.
L'Union Plus Newspaper, 08/02-03/2008
Gabon's economic indicators performing well
At its first meeting in 2008, held in Libreville on 12 February, the National Monetary and Financial Committee was delighted with Gabon's sound economy. The country enjoyed 5% growth in 2007, external assets are in excellent shape and medium-term bank loans increased by between 10% and 15%.
The national monetary and financial committee met on 12 February in Libreville for the first of three meetings in the 2008 financial year. Chaired by Paul Toungui, the Finance Minister, the purpose of the meeting was to review the country's macroeconomic and banking situation in the course of 2007 and trace the economic outlook for the year in progress.
The committee stated that the country's economic activity was satisfactory in 2007 with good performances from the extractive industries and from the secondary and tertiary sectors. The country enjoyed 5% growth in 2007, external assets are in excellent shape and medium-term bank loans increased by between 10% and 15%.
The conclusions of this meeting also revealed an excess of 330 billion CFA francs in the execution of public finance budget in October 2007. The primary non-oil deficit was contained at 9.2% of the Gross Domestic Product Excluding Oil (GDPEO) for an annual maximum threshold of 11.6% of the GDPEO in the programme.
Lastly, the national monetary and financial committee proposed the adoption of monetary and credit objectives for the 2008 financial year. Furthermore, it approved Gabon's efforts to respect the four convergence criteria fixed by the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC) within the framework of the multilateral monitoring of the economies of the region. The only criterion not met was that of inflation.
Gabon's positive economic indicators, and these encouraging economic performances, are in contrast with a world economic context burdened by financial crisis and the spectre of an economic recession in the United States.
Source: Gabonéco, February 2008
Feature: Natural resources:
Construction of the "Ecole des Mines" - School of Engineering in Franceville
On 17 March, President Omar Bongo Ondimba proceeded to officially launch the building work on the first School of Engineering - Ecole des Mines in Gabon at Franceville along with the building of Franceville cathedral and the new presidential palace.
The School of Engineering and applied Geology - “Ecole nationale des Mines et de Géologie appliquée” will be located in the suburbs of Franceville, within the same perimeter as an agronomics institute and a prestigious high school.
It will provide two and three years study courses to 250 to 300 higher technicians and engineers in the domains of mining and geology, currently trained in South Africa and in Europe. The establishment is expected to open for the 2010-2011 academic year.
For the minister of Higher education, Dieudonné Pambo, the future Ecole des Mines must prepare Gabonese students to take part in the exploitation of their country’s rich mining resources. “Gabon is a mining country. Future prospects include the exploitation of the iron seam at Belinga. We have also discovered iron and uranium deposits in different places. There is baratine, talk… all kinds of deposits contained in the subsoil of our country. This school will prepare us for a massive exploitation of resources”.
Since 1962, Gabon has been exploiting an important manganese deposit at Moanda, in the Haut-Ogooué (south-east), where production has increased from 1.9 million tonnes in 2000 to 3.2 million tonnes in 2007. The exploitation of iron from Bélinga, in the province of Ogooué-Ivindo (north-east) should create around 30,000 jobs.
The new presidential palace in the provincial village of Ménaille Epilla will replace the former palace, which will house the headquarters of the future regional doctoral school. As for the future cathedral of Franceville, it is being built in the centre of the town.
These three buildings are part of the programme to decentralise the infrastructures for the basic development and modernisation of inland territory in order to boost economic and social activity.
>> Also read the article on manganese energy reserves: (Pdf 855k)
"Thanks to one of the largest deposits of high quality manganese on the planet, the country takes advantage of the growth in the iron and steel industry. The record production could make it no. 1 in the world in this sector very soon" (pdf Gabon Magazine)
Legabon.org, March 2008
The State borrows 180 billion CFA francs for public works
On 28 February the Council of Ministers approved the draft law authorising the Gabonese State to borrow from international organisations for public works: general earthworks, roads, water and electricity supply networks and the building of social housing.
Four loans for more than 180 billion CFA francs will be used to finance:
- The project of electrification of the northern periphery of Libreville, Cap Estérias and the Franceville/Andjogo/Okondja zone area. Two loans were signed with Caylon, the funding and investment bank of the Credit Agricole group, for an amount of 1.7 million euros (1.1 billion CFA francs) and 9.6 million euros (6.3 billion CFA francs).
- The building of social housing at Libreville: a loan contracted from the Export-Import Bank of India, for an amount of 14.5 million US dollars (6.5 billion CFA francs). The minister for Housing and Urban Development, Patrice Tonda, met the people in charge of the Indian Deep Group of Companies and CCPL, in February.
- Asphalting of the roads between Fougamou/Mouila, Leyou/Lastourville and Ndendé/Lebamba. This fourth loan was contracted with the African Development Bank (BAD).
For these work projects, the Gabonese State has launched a call for tenders for an amount of 92 million CFA francs
Find out more about the call for tenders.
Legabon.org, March 2008
Four loans for more than 180 billion CFA francs will be used to finance:
- The project of electrification of the northern periphery of Libreville, Cap Estérias and the Franceville/Andjogo/Okondja zone area. Two loans were signed with Caylon, the funding and investment bank of the Credit Agricole group, for an amount of 1.7 million euros (1.1 billion CFA francs) and 9.6 million euros (6.3 billion CFA francs).
- The building of social housing at Libreville: a loan contracted from the Export-Import Bank of India, for an amount of 14.5 million US dollars (6.5 billion CFA francs). The minister for Housing and Urban Development, Patrice Tonda, met the people in charge of the Indian Deep Group of Companies and CCPL, in February.
- Asphalting of the roads between Fougamou/Mouila, Leyou/Lastourville and Ndendé/Lebamba. This fourth loan was contracted with the African Development Bank (BAD).
For these work projects, the Gabonese State has launched a call for tenders for an amount of 92 million CFA francs
Find out more about the call for tenders.
Legabon.org, March 2008
Early repayment of Gabon's debt to Paris Club
The Gabonese government was delighted to have achieved the early repayment of 86% of its debt to the Paris Club.
The government has fully reimbursed the debt as it stood at January 2008, representing 752.3 billion CFA francs.
The Council of Ministers who met on 14 February, chaired by the chief of State, highly appreciated this initiative taken at the personal instruction of the President of the Republic, which made it possible to successfully introduce Gabon onto the Capital Markets. This was achieved in spite of the morose stock exchange context due to the “subprime” crisis. The exceptional results obtained by this operation now place Gabon firmly on the playing field of international investments.
"All these results are the consequence of the climate of peace and stability reigning on Gabonese territory, and, secondly, of the economic and financial reforms implemented under the impetus of President Omar Bongo Ondimba, to whom the Council wishes, in this circumstance, to pay a firmly deserved tribute. Thanks to these borrowings and to our own resources, the government has fully reimbursed the debt as it stood at January 2008, representing 752.3 billion CFA francs.
The early repayment of 86% of the debt to the Paris Club now allows our country to leave the supervision of this Club, to reinforce its international credit rating and prestige and from now on implement an active debt management policy.”
On this occasion, the Council thanked all the countries who supported Gabon in this operation, principally France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Brazil. It also expressed its special gratitude to France who granted an additional discount of 5% (approximately 50 million euros), in the form of debt conversion, to finance the project of sustainable development in the domains of the protection and development of the Gabonese forest.
Legabon.org, March 2008
The government has fully reimbursed the debt as it stood at January 2008, representing 752.3 billion CFA francs.
The Council of Ministers who met on 14 February, chaired by the chief of State, highly appreciated this initiative taken at the personal instruction of the President of the Republic, which made it possible to successfully introduce Gabon onto the Capital Markets. This was achieved in spite of the morose stock exchange context due to the “subprime” crisis. The exceptional results obtained by this operation now place Gabon firmly on the playing field of international investments.
"All these results are the consequence of the climate of peace and stability reigning on Gabonese territory, and, secondly, of the economic and financial reforms implemented under the impetus of President Omar Bongo Ondimba, to whom the Council wishes, in this circumstance, to pay a firmly deserved tribute. Thanks to these borrowings and to our own resources, the government has fully reimbursed the debt as it stood at January 2008, representing 752.3 billion CFA francs.
The early repayment of 86% of the debt to the Paris Club now allows our country to leave the supervision of this Club, to reinforce its international credit rating and prestige and from now on implement an active debt management policy.”
On this occasion, the Council thanked all the countries who supported Gabon in this operation, principally France, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Brazil. It also expressed its special gratitude to France who granted an additional discount of 5% (approximately 50 million euros), in the form of debt conversion, to finance the project of sustainable development in the domains of the protection and development of the Gabonese forest.
Legabon.org, March 2008
ministEriAl RESHUFFLE WITHIN THE government
On 4 February, Gabonese Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong announced slight changes to his government following the election of Jean Ping as the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union. Mr Ping was formerly Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Francophony and Regional Integration.
Mr Ping's successor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Francophony and Regional Integration is Laure Olga Gondjout, formerly Minister for Communication, Post, Telecommunications and new information technologies.
General Boniface Assélé, former Minister for Public Services and the Modernisation of the State, will take up the position of Minister for Communication, Post and Telecommunications and new information technologies.
The Gabonese ambassador in London, Alain Mensah Zoguelet, will replace Mr Assés;lés; as Minister for Public Services and the Modernisation of the State.
Lastly, Honorine Dossou Naki, who retains the portfolio of Minister for State Control, Inspections, the Fight against Corruption and Illegal Accumulation of Wealth, has been promoted to Deputy Prime Minister.
The other members of the government remain unchanged.
>> See the composition of the Gabonese government at 4 February 2008 (Pdf 19k)
NOVACOM Associés;s, February 2008
Mr Ping's successor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Francophony and Regional Integration is Laure Olga Gondjout, formerly Minister for Communication, Post, Telecommunications and new information technologies.
General Boniface Assélé, former Minister for Public Services and the Modernisation of the State, will take up the position of Minister for Communication, Post and Telecommunications and new information technologies.
The Gabonese ambassador in London, Alain Mensah Zoguelet, will replace Mr Assés;lés; as Minister for Public Services and the Modernisation of the State.
Lastly, Honorine Dossou Naki, who retains the portfolio of Minister for State Control, Inspections, the Fight against Corruption and Illegal Accumulation of Wealth, has been promoted to Deputy Prime Minister.
The other members of the government remain unchanged.
>> See the composition of the Gabonese government at 4 February 2008 (Pdf 19k)
NOVACOM Associés;s, February 2008
The new Gabonese government
The Prime Minister of Gabon, Jean Eyeghé Ndong, announced the composition of the new government on 28 December 2007.
The new government now comprises 42 members compared to 50 in the previous government: the Prime Minister, 3 Deputy Prime Ministers, 2 Ministers of State, 26 Ministers and 10 Delegate Ministers.
The Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister were: General Flavien Nzengui - Nzoundou (Minister for Public Works, Infrastructures and Construction), Vincent Essone Mengue (Minister for Small and Medium sized Enterprises, the Social Economy and the Fight against Poverty), Patrice Tonda (Minister for Housing, Accommodation and Town Planning), Josué Mbadinga (Minister for Relations with the Parliament and Constitutional Institutions), and Dieudonné Mouiri Boussougou (Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation).
Then the Delegate Ministers, with the appointment of Noël Nelson Messone (Delegate Minister to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Francophonie and Regional Integration, in charge of Francophonie and Regional Integration), and Jean Marie Kouba Souvi (Delegate Minister to the Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, in charge of the Family and the Promotion of Women, in charge of Public Sanitation).
The new, "streamlined" Gabonese government is endowed with a "mission" and will continue to implement the policies and directives of the Chief of State, outlined in the President’s social project: "My project, Action in favour of Gabon". The aim is to "improve the social situation of the Gabonese population, Gabon's economic and social development, and the prosperity of all Gabonese people".
>> See the composition of the Gabonese government as of 28 December 2007 (Pdf 19k)
>> Read the President’s social project, "My project, action in favour of Gabon"
The new government now comprises 42 members compared to 50 in the previous government: the Prime Minister, 3 Deputy Prime Ministers, 2 Ministers of State, 26 Ministers and 10 Delegate Ministers.
The Ministers appointed by the Prime Minister were: General Flavien Nzengui - Nzoundou (Minister for Public Works, Infrastructures and Construction), Vincent Essone Mengue (Minister for Small and Medium sized Enterprises, the Social Economy and the Fight against Poverty), Patrice Tonda (Minister for Housing, Accommodation and Town Planning), Josué Mbadinga (Minister for Relations with the Parliament and Constitutional Institutions), and Dieudonné Mouiri Boussougou (Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation).
Then the Delegate Ministers, with the appointment of Noël Nelson Messone (Delegate Minister to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Francophonie and Regional Integration, in charge of Francophonie and Regional Integration), and Jean Marie Kouba Souvi (Delegate Minister to the Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, in charge of the Family and the Promotion of Women, in charge of Public Sanitation).
The new, "streamlined" Gabonese government is endowed with a "mission" and will continue to implement the policies and directives of the Chief of State, outlined in the President’s social project: "My project, Action in favour of Gabon". The aim is to "improve the social situation of the Gabonese population, Gabon's economic and social development, and the prosperity of all Gabonese people".
>> See the composition of the Gabonese government as of 28 December 2007 (Pdf 19k)
>> Read the President’s social project, "My project, action in favour of Gabon"
47th anniversary of the Independence of Gabon
On 17 August, Gabon celebrated its 47th anniversary of Independence, achieved on 17 August 1960 after belonging to the Federation of French Equatorial Africa from 1910 to 1958.
For the second consecutive year, the Estuary was honoured by the system of revolving celebrations launched in 2002 at the initiative of President Omar Bongo Ondimba. The aim of the revolving celebrations is to foster development throughout the country. Each year, two provinces are the beneficiaries of financial aid from the State for the construction of infrastructure, roads, public buildings, etc, which make it possible to attract foreign investors, thereby creating jobs and enabling the diversification of the country's economy.
The President invited representatives of several neighbouring countries to join in the festivities on 17 August, which were marked by the inauguration of buildings, roads, an awards ceremony, the civil and military parade, the final of the Independence Cup, the gala dinner, fireworks display and cultural events all over Libreville.
This day was also the occasion for the Head of State to receive the "Peace Trophy". This prize was awarded to him by the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, a new society of Nations, for his personal involvement in seeking solutions to crises in the world and in Africa. This trophy entitles the President to the rank of International Grand Chancellor, and life Senator in the International Parliament for Safety and Peace. This is the highest distinction accorded by this institution. Former Presidents Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Mikhail Gorbatchev of the former Soviet Union and Pope Jean Paul II have also been awarded this prize.
Novacom Associés - September 2007
For the second consecutive year, the Estuary was honoured by the system of revolving celebrations launched in 2002 at the initiative of President Omar Bongo Ondimba. The aim of the revolving celebrations is to foster development throughout the country. Each year, two provinces are the beneficiaries of financial aid from the State for the construction of infrastructure, roads, public buildings, etc, which make it possible to attract foreign investors, thereby creating jobs and enabling the diversification of the country's economy.
The President invited representatives of several neighbouring countries to join in the festivities on 17 August, which were marked by the inauguration of buildings, roads, an awards ceremony, the civil and military parade, the final of the Independence Cup, the gala dinner, fireworks display and cultural events all over Libreville.
This day was also the occasion for the Head of State to receive the "Peace Trophy". This prize was awarded to him by the International Parliament for Safety and Peace, a new society of Nations, for his personal involvement in seeking solutions to crises in the world and in Africa. This trophy entitles the President to the rank of International Grand Chancellor, and life Senator in the International Parliament for Safety and Peace. This is the highest distinction accorded by this institution. Former Presidents Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Mikhail Gorbatchev of the former Soviet Union and Pope Jean Paul II have also been awarded this prize.
Novacom Associés - September 2007
Belinga iron: the "project of the century"
President Omar Bongo Ondimba once more evoked the scope and the feasibility measures undertaken for the commissioning of the Belinga iron mine, which was described as the "project of the century".
Should Gabon abandon economic development in favour of the conservation of nature, as some have suggested? On 14 September, the President provided clarification in terms of national and international opinion concerning the projected exploitation of the Belinga iron mine, with respect to the conservation of the environment and ecosystems, in a speech delivered at the cité de la Démocratie in Libreville.
These infrastructures are indispensable to the exploitation of the Belinga mining deposits. Their implantation and construction will obviously perturb the ecosystems of the regions concerned to a certain extent. But this vast project does not in any way call into question the policy I have instigated in terms of the environment, expressed, in particular, in the law pertaining to the national parks. For this law expressly stipulates that any loss of a part of the territory of a national park incurred through economic necessity must be offset in equal measure.
What does this mean? It means, quite simply, that what I take from here, I replace elsewhere and there is no imbalance.
But between this and preventing all development, there is a step I am not prepared to take, for while I must conserve nature, I must also ensure the development of Gabon," the President emphasised.
The leaders of the political parties of the presidential majority provided their support to the President.
The iron deposits at Belinga, in the North East of Gabon, which were discovered in 1895, are the site of one of the last great iron deposits as yet unexploited on the planet, with an iron content of 64% and reserves estimated at one billion tons.
Last year, Gabon awarded exclusive exploitation rights to China, and certain companies therefore are engaged in the construction of roads, the extraction of manganese, and oil and gas exploration in Gabon.
The first tonnes of iron should be extracted by 2011. "The construction work involved around the mine and the various infrastructures will create 26,850 jobs for Gabonese citizens. When it is in operation, the Belinga iron mine will generate 3,000 jobs directly and 10,000 indirectly", stipulated the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Ping.?The priority in terms of employment will be reserved for Gabonese people in accordance with president Omar Bongo Ondimba?s commitment to create thousands of jobs for Gabon.
>> Read the speech the President delivered on 14 September (Pdf file)
Novacom Associés - September 2007
Should Gabon abandon economic development in favour of the conservation of nature, as some have suggested? On 14 September, the President provided clarification in terms of national and international opinion concerning the projected exploitation of the Belinga iron mine, with respect to the conservation of the environment and ecosystems, in a speech delivered at the cité de la Démocratie in Libreville.
These infrastructures are indispensable to the exploitation of the Belinga mining deposits. Their implantation and construction will obviously perturb the ecosystems of the regions concerned to a certain extent. But this vast project does not in any way call into question the policy I have instigated in terms of the environment, expressed, in particular, in the law pertaining to the national parks. For this law expressly stipulates that any loss of a part of the territory of a national park incurred through economic necessity must be offset in equal measure.
What does this mean? It means, quite simply, that what I take from here, I replace elsewhere and there is no imbalance.
But between this and preventing all development, there is a step I am not prepared to take, for while I must conserve nature, I must also ensure the development of Gabon," the President emphasised.
The leaders of the political parties of the presidential majority provided their support to the President.
The iron deposits at Belinga, in the North East of Gabon, which were discovered in 1895, are the site of one of the last great iron deposits as yet unexploited on the planet, with an iron content of 64% and reserves estimated at one billion tons.
Last year, Gabon awarded exclusive exploitation rights to China, and certain companies therefore are engaged in the construction of roads, the extraction of manganese, and oil and gas exploration in Gabon.
The first tonnes of iron should be extracted by 2011. "The construction work involved around the mine and the various infrastructures will create 26,850 jobs for Gabonese citizens. When it is in operation, the Belinga iron mine will generate 3,000 jobs directly and 10,000 indirectly", stipulated the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean Ping.?The priority in terms of employment will be reserved for Gabonese people in accordance with president Omar Bongo Ondimba?s commitment to create thousands of jobs for Gabon.
>> Read the speech the President delivered on 14 September (Pdf file)
Novacom Associés - September 2007
Special feature: The strengthening of cooperation between France and Gabon
The twin themes behind President Omar Bongo Ondimba's visit to France at the end of May were economic diversification and the strengthening of Franco-Gabonese relations. The negotiations that had been initiated concerning the concerted management of population movements and co-development, as well as Gabon's debt, were brought to a conclusion this month.
(See the videos of the Gabonese President's diplomatic visit to Paris at the end of May)
Population movements and employment conditions
On 5 July, in Libreville, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Jean Ping, and the French Minister for Immigration, Integration, National identity and Co-development, Brice Hortefeux, signed an agreement concerning the concerted management of population movements and co-development, in order to facilitate travel to and stays in France for Gabonese employees and students. This agreement follows the fruitful interviews recently conducted in Paris by President Omar Bongo Ondimba with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, and with the French Prime Minister and the Minister of the Economy and Finance.
This agreement will only come into force once ratified in France, by the end of the summer or the beginning of the autumn, according to Brice Hortefeux.
The document has the following provisions:
Population movements and employment conditions
On 5 July, in Libreville, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Jean Ping, and the French Minister for Immigration, Integration, National identity and Co-development, Brice Hortefeux, signed an agreement concerning the concerted management of population movements and co-development, in order to facilitate travel to and stays in France for Gabonese employees and students. This agreement follows the fruitful interviews recently conducted in Paris by President Omar Bongo Ondimba with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, and with the French Prime Minister and the Minister of the Economy and Finance.
This agreement will only come into force once ratified in France, by the end of the summer or the beginning of the autumn, according to Brice Hortefeux.
The document has the following provisions:
- The suppression of short stay visas for holders of service or ordinary passports and the introduction of two-year multiple-entry circulation visas, particularly for economic, professional, medical or family reasons.
- Facilitation of stays in France for Gabonese employees and students: the duration of authorization will be increased from 6 to 9 months, renewable.
- On the other hand, French people living in Gabon for more than 3 years or who have been married to a Gabonese citizen for more than 3 years may obtain a renewable resident's permit valid for 5 years (instead of 2 years).
The document also has provisions for cooperation between France and Gabon in the reduction of irregular immigration, in terms of civil status and against documentary fraud, as well as French support for development projects initiated by Gabonese citizens living in France.
In order to follow up the cooperation actions, the two governments will create a tracking committee
Repaying Gabon's debt
On 18 July, the Paris Club, whose members include the principal creditor nations in the world, agreed to the proposal for the prepayment of Gabon's debt, for an initial amount of €1.6 billion.
They accepted the principle of a buyback by Gabon of its debt at market value. Gabon had requested a discount of a third of the debt but the negotiations led to an agreement for a discount of around 15%.
After his visit to Gabon, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, took the decision to reduce Gabon's debt by 5%, or €50 million euros. This amount corresponds to the difference between the 15% cancellation agreed by the Paris Club and the 20% that Nicolas Sarkozy had decided to award Gabon.
Gabon can now invest this sum in the development of forest conservation and ecotourism. France is Gabon's principal creditor and holds approximately 58% of the Paris Club debt; the other creditors are Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
At the last meeting of the Cabinet, the Ministers wished to “pay a solemn tribute to President Omar Bongo Ondimba whose close personal involvement and solid links of friendship with French leaders, notably with President Nicolas Sarkozy, made these results and spectacular progress possible.”
The French President's visit to Gabon: sustainable development and conservation of the environment in Gabon
The French Chief of State in turn paid a visit to his Gabonese counterpart, on 27 July. Together, they worked on the file of sustainable development and environmental conservation. They visited the forest of Mandah which covers 53,720 ha, accompanied by Jane Goodhall, the British primates specialist. This site is a world mangrove ecosystem reserve which is home to a considerable bird population and a high concentration of sea turtles.
Nicolas Sarkozy appealed to economic operators to invest in the national parks and tourism sectors: “Gabon today […] is a country of diversification which gives precedence to ecotourism and the conservation of the environment”. “The forest of Gabon alone [which is the 2nd largest rain forest in the world after the Amazon] absorbs the CO2 produced by the 3 most industrialized countries in the European Union”.
The €50 million euros deducted from Gabon's debt will therefore make it possible to “help our Gabonese friends to maintain and operate ecologically this forest which is an asset for the world” and thereby contribute to the diversification of the country's economy, Nicolas Sarkozy added.
Novacom Associés – end of July 2007
Two new Ministers in the Gabonese government
Two new Ministers - Messrs Jean-François Ndongou and Michel Mboussou - took up their appointments in the Gabonese government on Wednesday, 18 July, after the departure of Mr Louis Gaston Mayila, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, Welfare, National Solidarity and Poverty Reduction.
The former Deputy Foreign Minister, Jean-François Ndongou, therefore replaces Louis Gaston Mayila, who resigned from his position, and takes up the appointment of Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, Welfare, National Solidarity and Poverty Reduction.
Mr Michel Mboussou also joined the government, succeeding Mr Jean-François Ndongou as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, Francophony and regional integration.
The two new Ministers will endeavour, as their predecessors did, to pursue the implementation of the objectives of the social project “My project, action for Gabon”, established by the President of the Republic, Omar Bongo Ondimba.
View the new composition of the Gabonese government at 18/07/07 (pdf)
Novacom Associés - end of July 2007-07-27
President Omar Bongo Ondimba visited Paris
President Omar Bongo Ondimba visited Paris at the invitation of the new French President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, just one week after his nomination.
President Bongo met with new members of the government and with investors.
Watch footage of these meetings:
Meeting with the new French President, Nicolas Sarkozy > watch video
The principal lines of cooperation related to Gabonese development and the question of visas > watch video
Negotiating Gabon's debt > watch video
Diversification of Gabon's economy and sustainable planning > watch video
Report on the President's visit to Paris > watch video
Bilan du voyage présidentiel à Paris > watch video
President Bongo met with new members of the government and with investors.
Watch footage of these meetings:
Meeting with the new French President, Nicolas Sarkozy > watch video
The principal lines of cooperation related to Gabonese development and the question of visas > watch video
Negotiating Gabon's debt > watch video
Diversification of Gabon's economy and sustainable planning > watch video
Report on the President's visit to Paris > watch video
Bilan du voyage présidentiel à Paris > watch video
|
|
||||||||||||
