Interview with His Excellency Koumba Desire, Ambassador, Embassy of Gabon in India
The Republic Gabon bordering the Atlantic Ocean on side and on the other the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea, is on its fast track to development. Since independence on August, 17, 1960, the Central African Republic has made remarkable progress in all sectors of the economy. Oil rich Gabon is presently embarking on an integrated growth pathway, that focus on agriculture, manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), tourism etc. Africa4U met His Excellency Koumba Desire, Ambassador, Embassy of Gabon in India for a free – wheeling interview to gather the development tempo of the Central African Republic, its future strategies, type of investment that the country is seeking etc. Excerpts of the interview are given below
Gabon is known for its rich mineral resources including oil. Of late, the Republic is making efforts to diversify into other areas. Could you explain what steps are being taken by your country at the macro level to go for an integrated development?
You are right, we have rich oil resources. Close to 46% of the GDP is contributed by oil sector. No country can depend on one type of resources to support its citizens in perpetuity. In 2009, His Excellency Ali BONGO ONDIMBA was elected as the third President of the Republic. Since then, our country is giving paramount importance to tap all possible avenues to support the economic growth. We are gradually moving towards an integrated economy where all sectors are given importance, be they agriculture, manufacturing, particularly small and medium enterprises, information and communication technology (ICT), tourism etc. We have embarked on several programs like Green Gabon, Industrial Gabon and services powered Gabon to unleash the growth potentials.
What place you are assigning to agriculture in the growth process?
My short answer is “a lot” and we believe that our oil wealth alone would not be sufficient to herald an inclusive growth model. Agriculture is receiving top importance in our planning process. We have a good forest cover and a sizeable acreage under cultivation. Efforts are underway to increase this cover and to bring more acreage under modern agriculture. There are many industries which draw their raw materials from agriculture. For instance, the log (timber) industry has been there in Gabon for long. Earlier, the logs used to be exported in raw form. Now, we insist on setting up units to locally transform the timber into value added products, at least the first stage of value addition. Attractive incentives are offered, such as extension of 10-year tax exemption to industries being set up in Special Economic zones, which are dedicated locations to set up export-oriented units. Our experience on SEZs is very encouraging. There are over 160 industrial units from over 16 countries, which have set up units over there, 80 of them are Indian. The number is increasing, an indication Gabon is becoming attractive to foreign investors. These ventures bring in foreign exchange, and more than that, create gainful employment. Let me put it this way. Gabon is making solid strides for attracting investments and very soon we will emerge as an important investment hub.
What about other mineral resources that Gabon is known for? What are the plans for the future?
As I told you, we are re-working our strategies for the future development. Be it or oil, manganese, iron ore, gold or diamond or agri – products, we insist on local processing instead of exporting them as raw materials, which has been a zero sum game for us earlier. To make these things possible, I have mentioned about extending attractive incentives and take steps for ensuring ease of doing business. We have established single windows for granting required permissions and licenses.
What about the job creation other than in oil sector?
I am excited to share with you that in sectors like tourism, particularly medical tourism, information technology and in creating credible banking systems, we have made great strides. I am aware that we should not remain there. We have to forge ahead to make our presence felt as a multi-sector dynamic and happening place. Our President His Excellency Ali BONGO ONDIMBA, ever since he assumed the office did not leave anything to chance. We are investing in education to provide the most modern and scientific education at school, collegiate and at higher levels matching up with the best systems in the world. We have introduced IT in schools and there is considerable help coming up from India to support and value – add to such efforts. We have to learn a lot from India in developing the health sector including medical tourism.
What is the type of cooperation which Gabon has with India?
India –Gabon relationship has been warm, productive and economically focused. I have mentioned about presence of Indian ICT companies in Gabon operating in diverse fields like education, providing technical support for industries in the private and public sector, banking etc. Airtel, the largest Indian telecom company is present in Gabon and is competing with the national telecom company. In the oil sector, Oil India is operating ifactorily. Indian construction major Shapoorji Pallonji has a great presence in Gabon in the construction field, has helped Gabon in setting up the second port terminal. 80 manufacturing units in the special economic zone are owned by Indians or people of Indian origin. We are at advanced stages of negotiations with an Indian fertilizer and airport service provider for setting up their respective units in Gabon. I cannot reveal the names of those companies, but can assure you that negotiations are at advanced stages. Besides, there is a sizeable Indian population in diverse fields of business ranging from groceries to up-market products in various cities of Gabon. Our records indicate that there are over 2500 Indians traders and entrepreneurs present in Gabon.
Do you think that some of these details have to be put into the public domain?
What was Gabon a few years back to Indians and what it is now, there is considerable difference. We interface with the various ministries of the central and state governments. We bring out special publications. Also, friends like you periodically bring out news about Gabon to Indian readers and businesses. Yet, we feel that we have to focus Gabon amongst Indians and Indian businesses in a more intensified manner. We will not be leaving any stone unturned for that. Recently, for the International Solar Alliance Meeting our President His Excellency Ali BONGO ONDIMBA was here. His Excellency likes India and its unity in the midst of diversity. After spending time in New Delhi for the alliance meeting, His Excellency proceeded to Dehra Dun to absorb the mystic ambience of that wonderful landscape. It is a unique experience to be in this country with multi-lingual and diverse customs and faiths and still live in unity. That is the greatness of India. That also bonds us with this great country.
