The Gabonese Head of State took part in the 4th TICAD summit, a conference focusing on development in Africa, which took place from 28 to 30 May 2008. 42 Heads of state and government came together, along with representatives from African countries, international and regional organisations and international economic institutions.
Organised on the theme “Towards a Vibrant Africa – a continent of hope and opportunity,”», the three priority areas of the TICAD IV were to:
- Boost economic growth on the African continent;
- Ensure “Human Security”, including achievement of the millennium development goals (MDGs), consolidation of peace and the democratisation process; and
- Address environmental issues and climate change.
During his stay, the African elder statesman (who has been awarded the Manhae prize and plays an active role in the fight against climate change, dedicating 11% of his country to the creation of national parks) took part in and chaired a number of different conferences and discussions. Of particular note was his meeting with the President of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, and Presidents François Bozizé (Central African Republic) and Denis Sassou Nguesso (Congo) in which the issue of conflict on the continent was addressed. At the close of the TICAD 4 debates, the Action Plan and Yokohama Declaration were adopted unanimously.
Gabon and its investment opportunities were at the heart of discussions held by the President with leading figures and economic institutions; the goal of these talks was to dynamise, strengthen and develop cooperative relationships and diversify the Gabonese economy, which is the main focus of the President’s development project, named “Acts for Gabon”.
He met the Japanese Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda. The two men also addressed the questions of cooperation between the archipelago and the African continent and the bilateral relationship between Japan and Gabon. Mr Fukuda informed him of Japan’s decision to continue its cooperation with Gabon, particularly in the fishing and education sectors, etc. and to double public aid to Africa between now and 2012. A figure of more than 200 billion yen was quoted, just over 1,000 billion CFA francs. Japan will also create a fund, intended to support private investment across the continent.
The President of the Japanese Employers’ Federation for South Saharan Africa, Masahiro Sakané, expressed his desire to increase exchanges with Gabon in the sectors of education, environment and health, and the promotion of SMEs.
Following his stay in Yokohama, Omar Bongo Ondimba travelled first to Hong Kong, then to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The President presented Gabon’s assets and resources to an audience of business executives and investors, with a view to dynamising, strengthening and developing the cooperative relationships already in existence.
In Hong Kong, infrastructure and timber were at the centre of discussions with the COFCO group. COFCO Group Vice President, Liu Youngfu, announced that it was his subsidiary’s wish to diversify its investments in Gabon.
He then made a private visit to Dubai to meet a wide number of stakeholders, in particular, the President of Dubai World, Sultan Bin Sulayem, whose group has undertaken to develop a partnership and to promote large-scale investment in the Gabonese service sector which generates a significant number of jobs. Moreover the Dubai World group is planning to create a tourist park, economic zone and marina in Gabon by developing the Port-Gentil free zone, an area destined to play a catalytic role in the development of Gabon.
Legabon.org, June 2008
