AITIC Special Session for the Republic of Gabon’s Trade Policy Review: “Technical Assistance and Diversification of the Economy”
3 October 2007, 15.00 – 17.00, Room A, Centre de Conférences de Varembé, Room C
I. Objectives
1. In response to a request from the national authorities, to complement the Trade Policy Review of the Republic of Gabon in order to:
- present Gabon’s trade-related technical assistance needs to the international community (IGOs, multilateral and bilateral donors and private sector);
- emphasise the economic diversification policy undertaken by the government with a special focus on high potential sectors;
- present concrete development projects.
II. Issues Raised
2. Gabon’s increased participation in the multilateral trade system was addressed as were the ways and means to improve the situation and the presentation of high potential sectors, including:
- strengthening human and institutional trade-related capacity;
- trade policy compliance with Gabon’s WTO obligations;
- the regional dimension in the definition of priorities and needs;
- Aid for Trade and Gabon’s expectations in that regard.
3. The Minister for Commerce and Industrial Development, in charge of NEPAD, briefly introduced the institutional and regulatory aspects of Gabon and highlighted (through examples such as the adoption of a Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper [note 1]) the way in which trade has now become an instrument for poverty reduction.
4. Much needs to be undertaken in that regard, with trade facilitation and transport infrastructure projects being a major priority. In this context, the Minister mentioned an ambitious sub-regional project carried out within NEPAD in this sector.
5. To reduce Gabon’s heavy reliance on oil revenue, the Minister listed some of the high potential sectors that the Government intended to develop: timber, ecotourism, mining, fisheries, and agriculture. The first two sectors were presented in detail. An incentive regulatory and legal framework was put into place; nevertheless much remains to be done to exploit the strong potential of these sectors.
6. Four specific projects directly under the Ministry of Commerce were presented. They related to the creation of:
- industrial activity zones
- a wholesale market
- a trade activity zone
- an exhibition and entertainment park
7. The Minister invited interested investors to contact his office to obtain the documents pertaining to these projects.
8. African and Asian delegates in attendance emphasised the importance of South-South cooperation as well as the diversification of trade partners. Building on their experience in a number of sectors described by the Minister which were considered to be a priority, delegates expressed their willingness to share their experience in this regard.
9. Representatives from the Swiss private sector (SwissChamAfrica) stressed that diversification of the economy should integrate the local processing of raw materials, which generates added-value, employment and consequently revenue. However, this must be done whilst preserving the environment. Considering the small size of Gabon’s domestic market, the different projects presented during the Special Session must be given a sub-regional dimension.
10. Representatives of UNIDO, UNCTAD and the OIF indicated that their organisations were willing to support the capacity-building efforts of Gabon through their specific programmes.
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