Visas Most visitors are required to obtain a visa in advance, and this is best done in the visitor’s country of residence. The process can often be a lengthy one, and business visas require an invitation from a Gabon-based entity; in some cases proof of employment may also be required. Business visas can last for periods of two weeks, 30 days, 90 days and longer, even up to five years with multiple…
HELICONIA GARDEN Quartier Angondje Last roundabout before the Stade de l’Amitié PO Box 2213 Libreville T: (+241) 01 45 11 46/47/48 www.heliconiahotels.com reservations@heliconiahotels.com Rooms: 20 singles and 22 doubles. Business & Conference Facilities: Meeting rooms, event rooms and gardens. Health & Leisure Facilities: Cable and satellite TV, swimming pool, fitness room,…
Interview: Daniela Ona Ondo How can diversification efforts be accelerated? DANIELA ONA ONDO: In recent years, Gabon’s guiding policy for economic and social development has been centred around the Emerging Gabon Strategic Plan, which was passed in 2010 and emphasises diversification. The plan has paid off: in the 2012-14 period the Gabonese economy posted average growth of 5.3%, while inflation…
Interview: President Ali Bongo Ondimba What are the priority measures to be implemented under Gabon’s Social Pact? PRESIDENT ALI BONGO ONDIMBA: Gabon has the highest per capita health care spending of any country in Africa. We have seen significant progress in the health sector, with universal health coverage reaching out to more than half of the population and improvements in antenatal care. Huge…
Interview: Nina Abouna What steps can the government take to foster a more conducive business environment? NINA ABOUNA: Although Gabon is blessed with natural resources, the country needs to improve its business environment to further develop the private sector, which is central to economic diversification, growth and poverty reduction. Raw materials have encouraged many international firms to enter…
Interview: Madeleine Berre Which niche markets do you think should be developed in Gabon to diversify its economy? MADELEINE BERRE: In a context of economic transformation, every sector except oil and gas has strong potential for growth. Internet services, new technologies, business services, agriculture, education and health are priorities. Gabon must adapt its development plan by taking into account…
Interview:Régis Immongault What have been the ministry’s main budget guidelines after the drop in oil prices? RÉGISIMMONGAULT: Oil has seen a sharp drop in prices, falling by about 56% since mid-June 2014. As an oil-exporting country, Gabon has been particularly affected by this, even though the contribution of oil to its wealth generation has shrunk in recent years. Today oil accounts…
Interview:Serge Toulekima How has the recent drop in oil prices affected Gabon, and how is the industry responding? SERGE TOULEKIMA: Most oil-exporting countries have been affected by the drop in oil prices and Gabon is no different. Many oil companies are finding their profits squeezed and are cutting back on spending. The main reasons for the current cycle of falling oil prices are increased…
Interview: EdgarThéophile Anon How will banking turnover evolve in 2015? EDGAR THÉOPHILE ANON: The turnover of Gabon’s banking sector should not rise substantially in 2015. The sector as a whole has experienced a slight credit and deposit contraction in the first quarter due to the current financial crisis. Additionally, new legislation from January 2014 entered into force in 2015, obliging…
Interview: Bernard Bartoszek How did the country’s insurance sector evolve in 2014 in terms of premiums? BERNARD BARTOSZEK: According to our most recent statistics, the insurance sector posted steady growth of 3.31% in 2014 in spite of social tensions and the drop in oil prices. Total premiums amounted to over CFA118bn (€177m), up from CFA114bn (€171m) in 2013. The growth was mainly driven…
