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Distributed by USA TODAY Our World Thursday, February 17, 2011 9 Fast forward emergence

on extracting manganese, but Oil has made the the other is with Huazhou Mining, a subsidiary of Chi- small, sparsely na’s CITIC group. Chinese timber and logging compa- populated state nies are also very interested in Gabon’s timber. of Gabon one of Last year, which marked the fiftieth anniversary of Gabon’s the wealthiest in independence, saw a series of deals with companies in India Africa, but with and Singapore. Contracts worth US$4.5 billion have production in been signed for the con- struction of roads, housing decline new units and a refinery, and to expand timber and palm oil ways of securing production. Moves to develop the econ- the future must omy appear to be paying off. The IMF recently revised its be found growth projections following Gabon’s faster-than-expected nation of just 1.5 recovery from a setback in million people, 2009 caused by the global cri- oil-rich Gabon en- sis and low oil prices. High- joys a per capita lighting increased public income four times investment and the rebound in Athat of most nations of sub-Sa- mining, the IMF raised its haran Africa. One of Africa’s growth forecast for 2010 from largest producers of petrole- 5.1% to 5.7%, and for 2011 from um, it pumps out around 4% to 5.6%. 250,000 barrels of oil per day. President Bongo says the Gabon Emergent is the strat- When President Ali Bongo traveled to Washington in early March 2010, Secretary of State Clinton articulated U.S. support of Gabon’s efforts to diversify its economy case for investing in Gabon is egy initiated by President Ali strong. “Above all, we want to Bongo Ondimba to create an prove standards of governance, meaningful and lasting change Increased spending by the ing day and the establishment create an environment where emerging economy. Resting on eliminate corruption, and for the country,” the President government is aimed at con- of a national oil company to the question is no longer why three pillars – Green Gabon, modernize the workforce. has said. “One of our princi- solidating growth, with pri- consolidate the government’s invest in Gabon, but how will Service Gabon and Industrial “We have deliberately fo- pal areas of focus is on reform ority being given to agriculture stakes in the oil fields and we invest in Gabon? The an- Gabon – it aims to reduce re- cused on driving reform in to encourage and facilitate in- and infrastructure. One of the manage revenues. swer is responsibly, and for the liance on oil production, im- key strategic areas to deliver vestment.” most significant moves has Gabon has been aggressive- long term. Gabon is open for been the banning of the export ly pursuing private investment business and it is open to all.” of raw timber, which Presi- from abroad, and getting it not dent Bongo wants to see just from France, its former A UNITED WORLD processed locally to add val- colonial master and leading in- SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED CGC ensures trade fluidity ue to forest and wood prod- vestor, but also from Asia. IN GABON BY: ucts before export. At the Huge new manganese Clementine Hazeran and same time, there is strong em- mines are being built as a re- Jeremie Godreche that is safe, fast and guaranteed phasis on environmental sus- sult of deals signed last year. tainability. One is with the French met- This report is available at The Conseil Gabonais des Chargeurs (CGC), or Gabonese Loader Council, supervises the Other changes include the als company Eramet, which nation’s trade and freight sector to guarantee secure goods transportation introduction of a longer work- previously had a monopoly www.unitedworld-usa.com

A new entrepreneurial spirit is pervading the nation’s business st sectors, unleashing a wealth of opportunities for any enter- Africa’s 1 universal healthcare prise looking to invest in Gabon. The country is now The Gabonese government the World Health Organiza- pulsory universal healthcare more than ever predisposed to is fighting poverty and social tion). This situation causes insurance,” says Michel welcome all types of invest- exclusion through broader global impoverishment that Mboussou, managing direc- ments, with the President cre- access to healthcare acts like a vicious cycle, crip- tor of CNAMGS. ating a liberal business partners are OPRAG and GPM, extended economic data on the pling the economy and slow- This new national health in- environment and throwing since 90% of the trade is done country’s exports and imports, The Health Insurance and ing development. surance will improve access to open Gabon’s trading doors to via Gabon’s maritime ports, but the organization transfers reli- Social Guarantee Office, or Over the past two years, health for nearly all social stra- the global business communi- it also interacts with aviation, able, up-to-date and decisive CNAMGS, was created in CNAMGS has been in ta of the population by light- ty. As such, international ex- rail and road companies to sup- data in real time to the govern- August 2007 in an effort to charge of ensuring health and ening individual charges, while ports and imports are both on port the remaining 10% need ment and shipping companies, tackle poverty and the ob- welfare coverage for ‘Eco- providing healthcare institu- the rise. for transportation. providing statistics and figures stacles many families have nomically Weak Gabonese’ tions with assured financial Optimizing the commercial The CGC works with major that help them to anticipate and in accessing healthcare. Cur- (EWG), and in the coming means. This mechanism is a flow is the raison d’être of the transportation companies, such manage trade traffic. rently, the majority of the year, it will spread coverage clear indication of Ali Bongo Conseil Gabonais des as Maersk and CMA CGM, as As regulators, the CGC tar- population in Gabon spends over to state workers and the Ondimba’s social policy, which Chargeurs (CGC), a regulating well as with the government. Its gets trade fluidity throughout the better part of their in- private sectors. “At the end of is based on the principle of entity that takes care of super- activities act as reliable indica- the country and makes sure the come on health services (an this process, Gabon will be “everyone contributes accord- vising all the players in the trade tors for the Gabonese econo- transportation chain is safe, fast average of 52.1% of house- the first country in sub-Sa- ing to his means, but receives and freight sectors. Its main my. Indeed, while gathering and guaranteed. hold income, according to haran Africa to settle a com- according to his needs.” Sogatra’s new fleet will be a Upgrading Gabon’s main boost for public transport access to world markets

Following years of being Because Gabon’s economy depends on exports of raw materials – chiefly oil, overlooked, investing wood and minerals – Gabon’s ports are vital to the country’s development heavily in public transport is now a government priority The macro-economic analy- some of the planned im- delays. In order to complete sis has shown that ports were provements. “On the site of these operations, logistics Almost immediately upon en- Gabon’s real economic lungs. , we plan to increase zones have been created to tering office, President Ali Bon- As proof, 90% of the country’s the quay length: we will extend benefit the industries.” go Ondimba made good on his total trade passes through the our current quays up to 300 At Gabon’s ports, OPRAG pre-election promise to revive ports. For this reason, Gabon’s linear meters,” he says. “These works in partnership with the state-owned public trans- port authority (OPRAG) has quays will be equipped with Gabon Port Management, a portation company Sogatra by developed a strategic vision, in container cranes and should subsidiary of Singapore’s rapidly allocating significant line with the President’s Emer- be delivered at the beginning Portek International, which new funds to provide better gence Plan, that could be of 2013. was awarded the concession of equipment and around 100 summed up in five points: the “In the meantime, one of our port operations in 2007. new buses in his first year as reinforcement of the State’s priority actions is to overcome Philipe Gery, CEO of Gabon head of state. role and power, the will to be the absence of modern han- Port Management, describes “What is being done today at aligned to the international dling equipment with the ac- the idea behind the ambitious Sogatra in such an extremely norms, the improvement of quisition and operation, by upgrades to the Port of Owen- short time is something that we Sogatra’s secure transportation services are key to improving urban life the ports’ infrastructure, the June 2011, of two 100-ton mo- do: “The idea is to make the have never witnessed before,” development of the internal bile cranes. Another project is port evolve from a poor con- says Aloise Bekale Ntoutoume, vate hire, ideal for large func- also connects the capital city competencies to be more com- the construction of a truly dition, just reaching the de- managing director of Sogatra. tions such as weddings and with Ntoum, Kango and Lam- petitive, and to become a re- modern port authority build- mand of the Gabonese “In all, we will need at least 250 seminars. baréné. Its plans to spread fur- gional hub. To implement this ing. This new office will be economy, to a situation where to 300 buses in the long term to Created in 1997 to initially ther afield into the hinterland vision they have different pro- equipped with an electronic we will be way ahead of future fully satisfy the demand.” provide urban and inter-urban will see its services soon arrive jects in the pipelines. documents transmission sys- projections, and should be ful- Sogatra’s air-conditioned public transportation in Libre- in Port-Gentil, , Rigobert Ikambouayat Ndé- tem which should significant- ly able to meet all the demand fleet is also available for pri- ville and Owendo, Sogatra now and . ka, CEO of OPRAG, details ly reduce the [current] stopover in about two and a half years.”

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Distributed by USA TODAY GABON Thursday, February 17, 2011 11 Social security for all a top priority As the cost of providing pensions and disability support is rising, the state is encouraging the large percentage of Gabonese workers and employers in the grey economy to contribute

As in a number of other coun- “We cannot let the formal sec- ‘EVEN THOUGH OUR tries, the viability of Gabon’s so- tor alone ensure the effort of sol- COUNTRY BENEFITS cial security system is being idarity,” says Dr. Marie Therese FROM QUITE A undermined by demographic Vane Ndong Obiang, CEO of DEVELOPED SOCIAL change. The cost of providing the National Social Security Fund SYSTEM, THE NEEDS pensions and disability support (CNSS). “It is not a fair situation.” OF OUR PEOPLE ARE is rising as people live longer, She argues that social secu- GROWING; WE NEED and is becoming too heavy a rity systems can be formidable TO DEVELOP AND burden for the workforce in a weapons in the fight against MODERNIZE OUR nation with a low birth rate. poverty and in improving pro- SERVICES’ At the same time, a large per- ductivity. Efforts are being centage of Gabonese are mak- made to persuade employers ‘THE HOSPITALS ing no contributions to the that – beyond the compulso- WERE GRADUALLY system at all – and receiving no ry aspect and penalties for non- BECOMING benefits – as they work in the compliance – operating inside MILLSTONES. WE grey economy. Only around the system is a morally required NEED TO READJUST 120,000 people, some 10% of the act of citizenship and national CNSS IN THE population, currently benefit solidarity. CURRENT SERVICES from the present system. The “I am convinced that if this OF SOCIAL SECURITY, government’s goal is to provide awareness is shared, the rate of WHICH WERE ITS cover for everybody. recovery will be boosted,” says ORIGINAL MISSION’ Gabon’s existing social secu- Dr. Obiang. However, there is no rity system was one of the first intention of relying on an appeal cial housing construction. Yet to be established in Africa. As to good conscience alone, and these assets have been failing to things stand, however, it is nei- further effort will be put into bring in significant revenue in ther sustainable, fair, nor widely supervising employers in order rents, for which Dr. Obiang inclusive, so a series of reforms to increase revenues. blames poor management. is being introduced to make it CNSS reception centers are CNSS is also investing in refur- more effective and of greater being modernized and new fa- bishing its properties in order to benefit to the Gabonese people. cilities built across the country. increase their renting value. “Even though our country “We are committed to be as One of the most important benefits from quite a devel- close as we can get to our users,” recent changes is the decision oped social system, the needs Dr. Obiang says. that CNSS should withdraw of our people are growing, and In the meantime, CNSS is in- from running hospitals, which we need to develop and mod- stituting changes to put its own are now being transferred to ernize our services along with house in better order. Created state management. This is a sim- the nation’s emergence,” says more than 40 years ago, it is one ple matter of economics, as the Maxime Ngozo Issondou, of the oldest institutions in income from these units, which Minister for Labor, Employ- Gabon. In addition to adminis- were designed to serve all ment, and Social Security. tering contributions and bene- Gabonese regardless of social Several approaches to mod- fits, it has also been managing status, is insufficient to maintain ifying the social security code are hospitals. them. currently under consideration. Improvements have been “Most of the time we were Reforms are likely to include in- made in recent years in the ef- compelled to take contributions creasing contributions, creat- ficiency with which benefit dedicated to other branches to ing different types of pension payments are made, in com- run this activity,” explains Dr. for different types of employ- puterization, and in staff mo- Obiang. “The hospitals were ment and formalizing the offi- tivation. Now a five-year plan gradually becoming millstones. cial age of retirement at 60. is being implemented to fur- That is why the decision is time- A key objective, albeit a long- ther reorganize and profes- ly. We need to readjust CNSS in term one, is to integrate much sionalize the institution, to the current services of social se- larger numbers of Gabonese in- improve accountability, effi- curity, which were its original to the system, so they can both ciency, and service. mission as stated by the law that contribute to it and benefit from That includes improving the created it.” it. The size of Gabon’s informal management of CNSS’s finan- Summing up the overall ef- sector is by definition difficult to cial resources. Apart from the fects of the changes being made, quantify, but an educated guess traditional direct contributions he says the aim is to offer bet- might include more than 50% of that make up its main resources, ter care for the Gabonese peo- the working population; statistics CNSS has property assets that ple through sharing the benefits from International Labor Orga- exceed those of the Real Estate of the improved economic nization suggest the figure in Sub- National Company, the main growth that the government is Saharan Africa is around 72%. public operator in the field of so- Currently only around 10% of the population contribute to, and benefit from, the social security system working to achieve.

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10 Thursday, February 17, 2011 GABON Distributed by USA TODAY

A port city on the Komo River, has experienced a huge surge in population: in 1960 there were just 32,000 inhabitants. Today, more than 800,000 call Libreville home Restoring Libreville’s former splendor The city to which former slaves returned is now undergoing a new transition: City Hall is infusing new life into projects that will boost the economy and raise the quality of life

Libreville is Gabon’s capital decade Libreville has fallen for outside investment, as Town”, named for the re- are run to benefit a few pri- Libreville will be on show and largest city. Once an el- somewhat into disrepair, well as for skilled foreign leased slaves who arrived vate individuals rather than to the rest of Africa and be- egant capital, Libreville has with its crumbling official workers to come to assist on there in about 1800. One of the public sector. A large new yond in 2012, when it will long been the country’s hub buildings, poor roads, un- infrastructure projects in Li- City Hall’s plans is to restore municipal market and sev- host several matches of the for tourism, education and regulated public areas, and breville in areas such as the historical dimension of eral smaller markets are now Africa Cup of Nations soc- business. Today, it is home garbage-filled streets as well health and education. As an Libreville with monuments being established which will cer tournament, including to more than 800,000 peo- as insufficient public services example, two public medical around the city to com- clean up the public areas and the final. The mayor is con- ple, over half of the popula- for the local population. All centers have just been built memorate the people’s his- revive local business. fident that visitors will find tion of Gabon, and is growing of these factors have wors- in Libreville and the mayor tory. Another challenge for Li- themselves warmly wel- at the rate of 3% a year. In ad- ened the quality of life of Li- intends to establish two med- The city used to be breville to address in com- comed into a safe city. dition, new projects such as breville’s residents. ical centers in each district in drowned under trees, plants, ing years is a shortage of “Gabon is a very friendly the Nkok Special Economic The city’s mayor, Jean- the city, each with a doctor and flowers in its rich parks social housing, caused by the country and for some of our Zone and a new port and François Ntoutoume Emane, and two nurses. Meanwhile, and gardens. As these have rapid urbanization. In order ethnic groups, if a foreigner airport are likely to attract a former prime minister, is the city’s pre-school centers not been always maintained, to meet the growing de- dies in our premises, it is a an increasing number of intent on restoring Libreville need permanent nurses to the city is also focusing mand, many real estate com- curse!” he explains. “When international visitors to Li- to its past glories. Since he help the fight against infant strongly on restoring the panies have large we are just little kids we are breville, as the city remains became mayor in 2008 he has mortality. Libreville’s pro- beauty of Libreville’s public development projects un- taught the sacral art of wel- cleaner and far more secure initiated a series of public jects will boost the econom- spaces such as gardens, derway, and the state has coming a foreigner and pro- than many others in central works projects to improve ic development of Gabon as squares, and traffic circles. committed to building 5,000 tecting him by all possible Africa. the city. With a tight budget, a whole. Libreville’s markets are un- new units of social housing means. Even at the cost of Unfortunately, over the last however, City Hall is calling Libreville means “Free regulated and sprawling and every year. one’s own life.”

INTERVIEW WITH THE MAYOR OF LIBREVILLE ‘Libreville is a friendly and pleasant place that we try to protect’

Jean-François Ntoutoume has ambitious plans to turn his city into one of Africa’s cleanest and most beautiful and prosperous places to live

Jean-François Ntoutoume goals and complete our projects ‘IF ONE WANTS TO Emane came to the mayor’s of- because a budget of 15 or 16 bil- PROMOTE THE fice in 2008 after a long, suc- lion CFAF [US$30.2-32.3 mil- DEVELOPMENT, IT cessful run in the national lion]is definitely not enough for HAS THEREBY TO BE government as Prime Minister, our high ambitions. DONE THROUGH THE presidential advisor, Minister But Libreville’s problems are DEVELOPMENT OF The real for Commerce, as well as Min- not only linked to the financial THE CITIES AND ister for Civil Aviation. situation. We have a huge prob- PARTICULARLY OF winners? The He shares with us his plans lem of human resources. LIBREVILLE, AS IT IS and vision for Libreville, Gabon’s Gabonese people have been THE MAIN TOWN host nation most important city politically, studying in France, Morocco, AND THE CAPITAL OF commercially, and culturally. United States, Canada. We have GABON’ Gabon is revving up to engineers, financial advisors, enter the limelight as a First of all, how is Libreville’s fate etc. and we need to provide jobs co-host of the interconnected with that of the to come up to their qualifica- ‘WE HAVE continent’s most country? And, what projects are tions. ENGINEERS, important sporting underway here that will help Another issue an American FINANCIAL event: the African Cup boost the national economy? could get involved in is waste ADVISORS, ETC. AND of Nations (CAN) More than half of the total management. Some poor areas WE NEED TO Gabonese population lives in in town do not have any access PROVIDE JOBS TO CAN 2012 will be a huge Libreville. The country is almost to the collections of waste. We COME UP TO THEIR occasion for Gabon, as the completely depopulated in its need more financial means and QUALIFICATIONS’ soccer tournament will inner lands. Thus, if one wants professional solutions to com- highlight the country in the to promote the development, it pensate this lack. In order to eyes of not just Africa but has to be done through the de- keep our city clean, I have ‘GIVEN THAT CAN the world. However, no velopment of the cities and par- launched an operation of waste SOCCER MATCHES matter how long the eu- ticularly of the capital city collection. WILL BE HELD HERE phoria stays afloat after the Libreville. It is crucial to solve There are also problems of IN 2012, WE HOPE matches, the real long-last- the problems in Libreville so infrastructure (80% of our road- THAT FOR THE YEAR ing effects will be the ones that it can be not only the po- ways are in a deplorable state), 2011 WE WILL HAVE that will help Gabon to de- litical capital of the country but public transport, public hospi- MORE FINANCIAL velop its economy. beyond that, the economic en- tals, pre-school centers, and so- MEANS TO REALIZE “The African Nation Cup gine of Gabon. cial security that we’re currently ALL THE PROJECTS is a unique opportunity for Libreville is also the largest addressing. Given that CAN WE HAVE IN THE a country,” says Rene Adia- port in the country, and we are soccer matches will be held here PIPELINES‘ heno, President of the Or- about to construct another deep in 2012, we hope that for the ganizing Committee of the water port in Santa Clara (on the year 2011 we will have more fi- Jean-François Ntoutoume Emane, Mayor of Libreville African Nation Cup (CO- estuary, very close to Libreville), nancial means to realize all the CAN) in Gabon. “It is a re- soon another port in Owendo projects we have in the pipelines. agents and then if there are ket of central Africa and Black In 2008, I created a General al development project. We will be used as a secondary port spare houses, they will be rent- Africa. Webcor is a financial Direction for the Environment take advantage of the im- for Libreville. The government With the demographic growth ed out or rented with a sale op- and agro-alimentary group and for risks prevention, parks mediate need of infra- has planed to build a world-class that Libreville is experiencing, tion. We want to make sure our from Switzerland. They are in- and gardens. It is crucial that structure and sport facilities airport on the plain of Oyane (al- one sees the appearance of employees have a decent home vesting 26.27 billion CFAF in we try to transmit this wealth to develop. Gabon will have so in the region of Libreville). some shantytowns. What is with decent utilities. If not, how Libreville. The area of Peyrie is to the next generation and that now two stadiums of 40,000 Soon a free economic zone will your strategy to find necessary can we expect them to excel at being leveled and cleared so we teach them that this green places each, Franceville will be ready to host multinationals financing for social housing? work? they can build a large market heritage must be not be only have one, we will have train- in various sectors of activity. The town hall has many com- with infrastructures affordable preserved but also renewed. ing centers. CAN is also munal lands. We have the am- You recently called Swiss com- for every farmer. No more sale Thus, we have launched the building or renovating our What are the major improve- bition to arrange housing pany Webcor to rehabilitate of pepper or manioc in the dust ‘Green Libreville Operation’, in road network, moderniz- ments that would be necessary estate/subdivisions with the fi- markets. Please tell us more and mud of the roads. which we’ve replanted palm ing our communication to improve the life standards of nancial assistance of banks or about this project. trees. Man must use his genius equipment, and offering Libreville’s population? financial institutions to build Markets are a significant con- What is being done in Libre- to correct nature, to embellish more choice and better We are waiting to have con- the lodging. Initially, we want tributor to the small economy. ville regarding the President’s nature, to replant the trees standards in terms of ac- sequent budgets to achieve our to build residences for our We will build the largest mar- Green Gabon initiative? when they disappear. commodation.”

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