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  ANNEX 3 GABON 
 
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  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................... 257  
1.1   Main features  of the ec onomy .................................................................................. 257  
1.2   Recent econ omic trends .......................................................................................... 257  
1.3   Trade and invest ment perfor mance ........................................................................... 261  
1.3.1   Trade in g oods and serv ices .................................................................................. 261  
1.3.2   Direct investment ................................................................................................ 264  
1.4   Outlook ................................................................................................................. 265  
2   TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES ......................................................................... 266  
2.1   Introduction ........................................................................................................... 266  
2.2   Trade policy  objectives ............................................................................................ 268  
2.3   Trade agreements  and arrang ements ........................................................................ 268  
2.3.1   World Trade Organization (WTO) ............................................................................ 268  
2.3.2   Other trade arrangements ..................................................................................... 269  
2.4   Investment ............................................................................................................ 269  
3   TRADE POLICY  BY MEAS URE ................................................................................... 272  
3.1   Measures directly  affecting imports ........................................................................... 272  
3.1.1   Registration  and procedures .................................................................................. 272  
3.1.2   Customs levies .................................................................................................... 273  
3.1.3   Bindings ............................................................................................................. 273 
3.1.4   Intern al taxes ..................................................................................................... 27 4 
3.1.5   Preferences ......................................................................................................... 275  
3.1.6   Duty and tax exem ptions and co ncessions ............................................................... 275  
3.1.7   Prohibitions, quantitative  restrictions an d licensing ................................................... 275  
3.1.8   Standardization, accreditation and certification ......................................................... 276  
3.1.9   Sanitary and phytos anitary (SPS) measures ............................................................ 277  
3.1.10   Packaging, marking an d labelling requirements ...................................................... 278  
3.1.11   Contingency measures ........................................................................................ 278  
3.2   Measures directly  affecting exports ........................................................................... 278  
3.2.1   Customs procedures ............................................................................................. 278  
3.2.2   Export du ties and taxes ........................................................................................ 278  
3.2.3   Prohibitions, quantitative restrictions, export controls and licensing ............................. 278  
3.2.4   Export subsidies, promotion and a ssistance  ............................................................. 279  
3.3   Measures affecting production an d trade .................................................................... 279  
3.3.1   Ince ntives .......................................................................................................... 2 79 
3.3.2   Competition and price control regime ...................................................................... 280  
3.3.3   State trading, State-owne d enterprises and privatization ........................................... 280  
3.3.4   Government  procurement ..................................................................................... 283  
3.3.5   Protection of inte llectual property  rights .................................................................. 285  WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4   TRADE POLICY  BY SECTOR ...................................................................................... 286  
4.1   Agriculture and related activities ............................................................................... 286  
4.1.1   Overview ............................................................................................................ 2 86 
4.1.2   Agricultural policy ................................................................................................ 28 6 
4.1.3   Policy by subsector .............................................................................................. 287  
4.1.4   Fishing an d aquaculture ........................................................................................ 288  
4.1.5   Fo restry  ............................................................................................................. 289 
4.2   Mining, ener gy and wa ter ........................................................................................ 290  
4.2.1   Mining products ................................................................................................... 290  
4.2.2   Petroleum produc ts and natu ral ga s ....................................................................... 291  
4.3   Electricit y and wa ter ............................................................................................... 292  
4.4   Manufacturi ng sect or .............................................................................................. 294  
4.5   Services ................................................................................................................  295 
4.5.1   Transport ........................................................................................................... 2 95 
4.5.2   Tourism .............................................................................................................. 296  
4.5.3   Telecommunications and postal se rvices ................................................................. 298  
4.5.4   Financial services ................................................................................................. 299  
REFERENC ES ................................................................................................................ 301  
5   APPENDIX TABLES .................................................................................................. 302  
 
CHARTS 
 
Chart 1.1 Structure of trade in goods, 2006 and 2011  ......................................................... 263  
Chart 1.2 Direction of trade in goods, 2006 and 2010  ......................................................... 264  
 
TABLES 
Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2005-2011 ................................................................. 258  
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2005- 2009 ....................................................................... 261  
Table 1.3 Foreign Direct  Investment , 2009-20 11 ................................................................ 265  
Table 2.1 Gabon's principal trade-rela ted laws and regula tions, 2013 .................................... 267  
Table 2.2 Notificati ons, 2007-2 013 ................................................................................... 269  
Table 2.3 Investment incentives, 2012 .............................................................................. 270  
Table 3.1 Differences in internal taxation  of imported and lo cal products , 2013 ....................... 274  
Table 3.2 State holdings in the capital of companies, 2013 ................................................... 281  
Table 3.3 List of enterprises privatized/undergoing privatization since 2006 ............................ 283  
Table 4.1 Postal traffic statistics, 2006-2011 ...................................................................... 299  
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  APPENDIX TABLES 
 
Table A1.1 Structure of  exports, 2006-2011  ...................................................................... 302  
Table A1.2 Structure of  imports, 2006-2011  ...................................................................... 303  
Table A1.3 Destination of exports, 2006-2011 .................................................................... 304  
Table A1.4 Origin of imports, 2006- 2011 ........................................................................... 305  
 
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  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Main features of the economy 1.1.  With a surface area of 267,667 km², more th an three quarters of which is covered by forest, 
Gabon has a population of only 1,587,685,  with an annual growth rate of 2.5%. 
The Gabonese population is relatively young, with around half aged under 15. Approximately 75% 
of the population live in urban areas, in  Libreville and Port-Gentil in particular.
1 The country 
is experiencing a significant influx of immigran ts, who represented around 15% of the population 
in 2008.2 
1.2.  Gabon has a rent-based economy founded on oil, which accounts for more than half of GDP 
and around 80% of export earnings. Per capita income, driven up by the abundant oil revenues, 
was estimated at US$11,114 in 2001, making Gabon a middle-income country according 
to the World Bank classification based on gross na tional income (GNI). However, the fundamentals 
of the economy are those of a country with a low level of development. Leaving aside the locally refined oil, the production base, including exports, remains strongly focused on low value-added 
products (wood, manganese) and a few manufactu res intended for the domestic or regional 
market. As a consequence Gabon remains vulnerable to external shocks, especially fluctuations in the price of oil and the other raw materials it exports. 
1.3.  Weak infrastructure, difficulties with obtaining access to credit for SMEs, and the small size 
of the market in a context of limited regional in tegration, are all factors that are holding back 
the diversification of the Gabonese economy. The World Bank's Doing Business  2013 report 
ranks Gabon 170
th out of 185 economies, or five places lower than in 2012. The report reveals 
a deterioration in, among other areas, obtaining credit, protecting investors, border trade 
and the granting of construction permits. There have been improvements in access to electricity 
and resolving insolvency. 
1.4.  The share of total trade in GDP is very  high (more than 85% on average since 2007), 
because of exports of petroleum products and the strong import demand for consumer goods and equipment, sustained by relatively high incomes among urban populations. 
The socio-economic indicators remain unfavourable when compared with per capita income. 
According to UNDP's Human Development Report 2011 , Gabon is still a medium human 
development country, with an HDI of 0.674.
3 Some 33% of the population is still living below 
the poverty line, and the MDG target of 13.5% by 2015 appears unattainable.4 These indicators 
are evidence of a very unequal distribution of national income. 
1.5.  Gabon has accepted the obligations of Articl e VIII, Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the IMF's Articles 
of Agreement. However, the tax it applies to al l wire transfers, including for making payments 
and transfers for current international transactions, constitutes an exchange restriction.5 
Responsibility for the formulation and implementa tion of the monetary and exchange policy lies 
with the (BEAC) (common report, Chapter 1). 
1.2  Recent economic trends 
1.6.  Whereas in 2007 the GDP growth rate  was 5.6%, between 2007 and 2009 this figure 
declined significantly, and the Gabonese economy sank into a recession in 2009 with a 1.4% contraction in GDP (Table 1.1). Although the sl ump in external demand was the principal cause 
of this negative trend in domestic production, technical problems in the refining industry 
and the social unrest in August 2009 also affe cted the performance of the oil subsector. 
Changes in the fiscal balance have, in general, mirrored the performance of the mining and oil 
industries. Oil revenue fell from 21.1% of GDP to 17.7% in 2009. This contraction, combined with 
the exceptional expenditure occasioned by the early elections in 2009 as well as the scale of public 
investment, was a major factor in the decline of the fiscal surplus, which fell from 11.6% of GDP 
to 1.9% in 2010. 
                                               
1 Gabonese Government (2011). 
2 World Health Organization (2009). 
3 UNDP (2011). 
4 United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2011). 
5 IMF (2011). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table 1.1 Basic economic indicators, 2005-2011 
 2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 2010 2011  
Miscellaneous        
Nominal GDP (CFAF billion)a 4,571  4,992  5,546  6,507  5,169 6,537 8,046  
Nominal GDP (US$ billion) 8.7  9.5 11.6 14.5 10.9 13.2 17.1  
Nominal GDP (€ billion) 7.0 7.6 8.4 9.9 7.8 10.0 12.2 
Real growth rate (US$ prices [2000], %) 3.0  1.2 5.6 2.3 -1.4 6.6 4.8  
Population (million) 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 
GDP per capita (US$) 6,322  6,832  8,128  10,018  7,409 8,768 11,114  
GDP per capita (€) 5,082  5,441  5,930  6,812  5,312 6,614 7,984  
Share of GDP at current prices (% of GDP) 
Agriculture  4.9 4.9 4.9 4.1 5.4 4.1 3.9 
Mining and quarrying  53.8  53.6 52.1 57.1 44.5 52.4 55.6  
Manufacturing industries  4.6 4.5 4.6 3.9 4.5 4.0 3.7 
Electricity, gas and water  1.2  1.2 1.3 1.3 1.7 1.5 1.5  
Construction and public works  1.7 1.8 1.9 1.8 2.2 2.1 2.0 
Wholesale and retail trade, restaurants 
and hotels  5.6 5.6 5.5 5.2 6.8 5.7 5.2  
Banking, insurance, real estate business  11.3 11.2 11.2 10.4 13.4 10.8 10.0 
Transport and communications  4.6  4.6 5.1 4.6 5.2 4.2 3.8  
Public administrations and defence  6.6 6.7 7.3 6.7 9.9 8.4 8.0 
Other services  0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Minus financial interm ediation services  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Plus indirect taxes/taxes on products, 
minus subsidies  5.7 5.8 6.2 5.2 6.5 6.8 6.3  
National accounts (current market 
prices)b (% of GDP)  
  Gross domestic expenditure 65.5  65.1 64.7 59.1 72.5 .. ..  
 Consumption 43.2 42.2 42.1 37.5 47.2 .. .. 
  Public (State) 8.2  8.2 8.9 8.1 10.4 ..  .. 
  Private 35.0 34.0 33.2 29.4 36.9 .. .. 
  Gross investment 22.3  23.0 22.6 21.6 25.3 ..  .. 
  Gross fixed capital formation 22.0 22.6 22.4 21.3 25.0 .. .. 
  Public (State) 3.4  4.7 4.4 4.5 6.1 ..  .. 
  Private (enterprises and 
households) 18.5 18.0 17.9 16.8 18.9 .. .. 
  of which oil sector  8.4  7.9 7.5 6.6 6.7 ..  .. 
  non-oil sector 10.1 10.1 10.4 10.2 12.3 .. .. 
  Variation in inventory 0.3  0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 ..  .. 
  Net exports 34.5 34.9 35.3 40.9 27.5 .. .. 
  Exports of goods and non-factor 
services 63.6 63.4 62.6 66.2 52.7 ..  .. 
  Goods 61.8 61.9 61.1 64.9 51.2 .. .. 
  Crude oil 51.5  51.2 48.6 49.6 41.2 ..  .. 
  Other 10.4 10.6 12.5 15.3 10.0 .. .. 
  Non-factor services 1.8  1.5 1.4 1.3 1.5 ..  .. 
  Imports of goods and non-factor 
services -29.1  -28.5  -27.3  -25.3  -25.2 .. .. 
  Goods -15.5  -15.9  -14.7  -14.2  -14.3 ..  .. 
  Oil sector -4.2 -2.6 -4.7 -3.9 -2.9 .. .. 
  Other -11.3  -13.3  -10.0  -10.3  -11.4 ..  .. 
  Non-factor services -13.6  -12.6  -12.6  -11.1  -11.0 .. .. 
Domestic savings 56.8  57.8 57.9 62.5 52.8 ..  .. 
Resource gap 34.5 34.9 35.3 40.9 27.5 .. .. 
Factor income -18.2  -15.8  -15.5  -15.9  -11.9 ..  .. 
  Capital income (net) -18.0  -15.6  -15.3  -15.8  -11.9 .. .. 
  Labour income (net) -0.2  -0.2 -0.2 -0.1 -0.1 ..  .. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 2010 2011  
National savings 38.6 42.0 42.4 46.6 40.8 .. .. 
 of which: public administrations  13.1  14.3 13.5 16.4 15.7 ..  .. 
 of which: private sector 25.5 27.7 28.9 30.2 25.1 .. .. 
Public financesc  (% of GDP) 
Total revenue and grants 31.3 31.7 29.5 31.9 32.1 26.7 .. 
  Oil revenue 19.8  20.3 17.3 20.9 16.0 14.4 ..  
  Non-oil revenue 11.5 11.4 12.2 11.0 16.1 12.3 .. 
  Grants 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ..  
Total expenditure 21.9 22.5 21.0 20.4 22.4 26.6 .. 
  Current expenditure 18.4  17.7 16.6 15.8 15.9 12.9 ..  
  Wages and salaries 5.0 5.1 5.4 5.0 7.2 5.9 .. 
  Goods and services 3.4  3.3 3.4 3.2 3.9 2.5 ..  
  Interest 2.8 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.9 1.9 .. 
  External debt  2.2  1.8 1.7 1.3 1.6 1.5 ..  
  Domestic debt 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.4 .. 
  Transfers and subsidies  7.3  7.0 5.6 5.9 3.0 2.7 ..  
  Capital expenditure  3.5 4.8 4.5 4.6 6.5 13.7 .. 
  Primary balance (IMF: 
revenue - total non-interest expenditure) 12.2
 11.6 10.6 13.3 11.6 1.9 ..  
Overall balance including grants 
(commitments basis) 9.4 9.2 8.5 11.5 9.7 0.1 .. 
Variation in arrears (reduction) -1.6  -0.7 -0.7 -1.8 -2.4 -0.3 ..  
  Domestic (principal and interest) -1.6 -0.7 -0.7 -1.8 -2.4 -0.3 .. 
  External (principal and interest) 0.0  0.0 0.0 -0.1 0.0 0.0 ..  
Overall balance (cash basis) 7.8 8.6 7.8 9.7 7.3 -0.3 .. 
Total financing -7.8  -8.6 -7.8 -9.7 -7.3 0.3 ..  
  External -2.9 -3.4 4.4 -13.2  -1.2 1.9 .. 
  Domestic -4.8  -5.2 -12.1  3.5 -6.1 -1.6 ..  
  Residual gap 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 .. 
Prices and interest rates        
Inflation (CPI, % change) 3.7 -1.4 5.0 5.3 1.9 1.5 1.3 
Discount rate (annual percentage) 5.5  5.3 5.3 4.8 4.3 4.0 4.0  
Interest rate (term deposit) 4.9 4.3 4.3 3.8 3.3 3.3 3.3 
Exchange rates        
CFA Franc/US$ (annual average)  527.5  522.9  479.3  447.8  472.2 495.3 471.9  
Nominal effective exchange rate (CPI 
Index, 2005 = 100) 100.0  99.98  102.1  104.1  103.3 99.8 100.1  
Real effective exchange rate (CPI Index, 
2005 = 100) 100.0  96.4 101.0  104.5  105.3 101.3 99.9 
External sector (% of GDP unless otherwise indicated)  
Current account balance (including 
official transfers) 14.6 17.4 17.7 23.3 14.8 .. .. 
Current account balance (excluding 
official transfers) 15.1 18.0 18.3 23.8 15.4 ..  .. 
Outstanding external debt/GDP 35.3 28.8 30.9 11.0 12.1 .. .. 
Debt servicing to export of goods and 
non-factor services ratio 10.8 10.0 10.0 25.6 8.0 ..  .. 
Debt servicing to GDP ratio 5.1 6.8 6.7 9.8 11.7 .. .. 
External reserves (in months of 
imports c.i.f.) 3.3 4.6 4.4 6.5 7.8 ..  .. 
.. Not available. 
a Data estimated from 2009 onwards. 
b 2009 data estimated. c 2009 data estimated and 2010 data forecast. 
Source: BEAC online information. Vi ewed at: http://www.beac.int/index.php /statistiques; African Statistical 
Yearbook  2012; World Bank, World Development Indicators , viewed at: 
http://databank.worldbank.o rg/ddp/home.do; and IMF, International Financial Statistics , viewed at: 
http://elibrary-data.imf.org. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  1.7.  Gabon experienced economic recovery in 2010. In addition to the upswing in the global 
demand for, and prices of, exports, the new Government launched sustained programmes of investment in public infrastructure. The preparations for the football Africa Cup of Nations, co-hosted by Gabon in 2012, included major public investment for the construction 
and rehabilitation of road infrastructure and stadiums, causing the GDP growth rate to rise 
to relatively high levels (6.6% in 2010 and 5.8% in 2011). 
1.8.  Although oil reserves are gradually running out, they continue to play a decisive role 
in Gabon's domestic production. To a great extent the level of economic activity fluctuates with 
performance in the oil subsector, which is itself dependent on world prices. 
1.9.  The sectoral distribution of GDP has not changed during the review period. The extractive 
industries still account for the largest share of production in Gabon (averaging more than 52% 
during the review period), followed by the serv ices sector (approximately one third of GDP), 
particularly banking, insurance and real estate services. The agricultural and manufacturing sectors still contribute only to a marginal degr ee (with average contributions of less than 5%), 
and this is indicative of the challenges facing Gabon where economic diversification is concerned. 
1.10.  Inflation, which is generally moderate as a result of the prudent monetary policy 
implemented at regional level by the BEAC (common report, Chapter 1), has risen sharply 
(Table 1.1), presumably because of the rise in domestic demand (public and private). The increase 
in the price of foodstuffs on the international market has also helped to drive inflation up. 
1.11.  Fiscal policy is the Government's main economic policy tool. In essence, since 2010 it has 
been supporting the Government's efforts towards the diversification of the economy through 
an appropriate provision of basic economic infrastructure. Oil revenue has enabled the fiscal 
balance to remain in surplus, albeit at fluctuating levels. The level of current expenditure has fallen gradually during the review period, in contrast  to capital expenditure. Whereas government 
spending has traditionally been dominated by current expenditure, which in 2007 for example 
was four times higher than capital expenditure, in 2010 the ratio shifted considerably in the direction of capital expenditure. 
1.12.  In 2010 the Government raised the minimum wage, which increased from CFAF 80,000 
to CFAF 150,000. There is a risk that these hi gh labour costs, combined with low labour 
productivity caused by a shortage of qualified labour in the sectors offering diversification 
potential, could affect the competitiveness of the economy. Efforts are being made, through 
improvements in the economic infrastructure and the social sectors, to control the cost of living 
more effectively. 
1.13.  The current account remains in surplus as  a result of the high level of goods exports 
(Table 1.2); the current account balance increased from 17.7% of GDP in 2007 to 23.3% in 2008, 
before falling back to 14.8% in 2009. The services balance continues to record a deficit, with only slight fluctuations. External reserves have risen steadily since 2007, representing some 
eight months of imports in 2009. 
1.14.  The 2010 ban on the export of logs reflects  the authorities' desire to promote industrial 
development in the country. However, a fully designed industrial policy offering incentives, including a decrease in transaction costs, would be more suited to attracting investors 
and ensuring the development of local processi ng. The removal of logs, and their processing, 
are hampered by the poor state of the road ne twork and unreliable energy supplies. Between 2007 
and 2009, the outstanding external debt fell grad ually from 30.9% to 12.2% of GDP. In order 
to guarantee the sustainability of its exte rnal debt, in 2010 the Government established 
a Directorate with responsibility for the external debt. The Directorate has been charged with formulating the country's debt policy. A government debt strategy has been published for the 
year 2013. It focuses on rational management base d on debt indicators such as the debt ratio 
and the pressure that debt service places on budgetary revenue. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2005-2009 
(US$ million) 
 2005  2006  2007  2008 2009a 
Current account balance (including official 
transfers) 1,266.2  1,659.6  2,042.8  3,386.5 1,621.2  
Current account balance (excluding official 
transfers) 1,304.3  1,722.2  2,113.9  3,461.3 1,688.3  
      
  External trade balance 4,080.1  4,495.7  5,373.5  7,467.2 4,313.5  
      
 Exports, f.o.b. 5,450.1  6,056.2  7,077.7  9,565.9 5,978.4  
  Petroleum 4,535.5  5,014.4  5,633.1  7,312.1 4,812.5  
  Manganese  349.6  365.1  543.8  1,404.0 470.2  
  Wood  400.1  513.1  609.7  507.6 442.2  
  Miscellaneous 164.9  163.7  291.1  342.1 253.5  
      
  Imports, f.o.b. -1,370.0  -1,560.6  -1,704.3  -2,098.7 -1,664.9  
      
  Services balance (non-factor) -1,039.3  -1,084.6  -1,287.9  -1,437.2 -1,107.0  
  Income balance -1,601.7  -1,548.2  -1,796.8  -2,340.5 -1,393.9  
      
  Current transfers balance -172.9  -203.3  -246.0  -303.0 -191.4  
  of which: official (net) -38.1  -62.5  -71.2  -74.8 -67.1  
 : private (net) -134.8  -140.8  -174.8  -228.2 -124.3  
      
Capital and financial operations account -926.3  -1,026.6  -1,620.5  -2,080.4 -1,089.0  
      
  Capital account 0.0  0.0 0.0 267.5 0.0  
      
  Financial account -926.3  -1,026.6  -1,620.5  -2,347.9 -1,089.0  
 Direct investment (net) 321.2  -29.5  -192.6  209.0 32.9 
 Portfolio investment 
 (net) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
 Other investment (net) -1,47.5??  -997.2  -1,427.9  -2,556.9 -1,121.9  
      
Errors and omissions -153.9  -263.9  -419.6  -734.3 -522.3  
      
Overall balance 186.0  369.1  2.7 571.8 9.9 
      
Financing -186.0  -369.1  -2.7 -571.8 -9.9 
  Changes in off. reserves (decrease +) -319.9  -370.9  -7.6 -828.6 -9.9  
  Changes in ext. arrears (decrease -) -3.7 -0.6 0.0 -10.7 0.0 
  Exceptional financing 137.6  2.4 4.9 267.5 0.0  
 Residual gap 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
a Estimates. 
Source: BEAC online information.  Viewed at: http://www.beac.int. 
1.3  Trade and investment performance 
1.3.1  Trade in goods and services 
1.15.  The structure of Gabonese exports is still characterized by a preponderance of primary 
products, averaging more than 95% of total exports since 2007. Products of the extractive industries (ores and fuels) account for more than 85% on average. Agricultural products, 
as the other primary products export, make a varying contribution. Exports of manufactures 
remain of minor significance (Chart 1.1 and Table A1.1). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  1.16.  Imports are a little more diversified, and their level has remained stable during the review 
period. Manufactures make up around three quarte rs of the total, with machinery and transport 
equipment strongly dominant (Chart 1.1 and Table A1.2). 
1.17.  The United States is the destination of more than half of exports (essentially petroleum 
products). The European Union (EU), principally France, is the second-ranked destination 
of exports, followed by China (C hart 1.2 and Table A1.3). Exports to African countries are still 
of minor significance, with an estimated average share of less than 5% for the period 2006-2010. 
1.18.  The EU (especially France) is the major supplier to the Gabonese market, 
accounting for almost two thirds of imports. Almost 10% of imports come from African countries, in particular Cameroon, Morocco and South Africa (Chart 1.2 and Table A1.4). 
1.19.  Gabon is a net importer of services (Table 1.2). The services balance deficit is essentially 
a function of the level of activity within the pe troleum products subsector. Imports of services 
consist largely of freight services and engineering services for mining enterprises. 
1.20.  The modest income from trade in services consists of business tourism services (Chapter 4). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Chart 1.1 Structure of trade in goods, 2006 and 2011 
2006 2011
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.)
Other
2.4Fuels
91.4Wood, wood 
charcoal and wood 
manufactures
3.8Ores, slag and ash 
2.4
Total:   US$6.0 billion Total:   US$9.8 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Transport 
equipment
15.5Live animals and 
animal products
5.8
Products of the 
chemical industries
7.8
Base metals and 
articles thereof
13.2Products of the 
food industries
6.8
Other
11.7Vegetable 
products
3.8
Machinery 
and 
appliances, 
electrical 
equipment
26.2
Mineral 
products
5.4Plastics and 
articles of plastics
3.8
Machinery and 
appliances, 
electrical 
equipment
24.1Products of the 
food industries
5.6Vegetable 
products
4.1
Other
11.9Live animals and 
animal products
6.0
Mineral 
products
13.2Transport 
equipment
12.5Base metals 
and articles 
thereof
11.6Products of the 
chemical industries
6.9Plastics and 
articles of plastics
4.1
Total:   US$1.7 billion Total:   US$3.6 billionPercentage
Other
3.0Fuels 
85.6Wood, wood 
charcoal and wood 
manufactures
8.3Ores, slag and ash 
3.1
 
Source: Information provided by the authorities. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Chart 1.2 Direction of trade in goods, 2006 and 2010 
2006 2010
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.)
Other
0.2Europe
17.4
Asia 
16.3Other Europe
2.3
Africa
3.1United States
58.3EU (27)
15.0
America
63.0Other America
4.6
China
5.1
Other Asia
6.1Malaysia
5.2
Total:   US$6 billion Total:  US$8.6 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
EU (27)
67.1 Africa
9.2
China  2.7
United States
6.8Other
0.2Europe
67.7Other Europe
0.5
Asia
10.6
Other Asia
3.2
Other America
3.4Middle East
2.1
Japan 3.0
Thaïland 1.6EU (27)
50.3 China
8.4
Asia
18.9
United States
14.1Other
3.6Europe
52.1Africa
6.5Middle East
1.8Other Europe
1.8
Other Asia
4.5
Other America
3.0Japan
3.8
Thaïland
2.3
Total:   US$1.7 billion Total:   US$3.0 billionPercentage
Europe
15.1Other Europe
3.0
Africa
5.5
Other
0.4Asia 
20.4
Other Asia
9.8EU (27)
12.1
America
58.7United States
58.4Other America
0.3
China
10.6
Malaysia
0.0
 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities. 
1.3.2  Direct investment 
1.21.  The oil industries are the main beneficiaries of foreign direct investment (FDI). 
The Government's efforts towards diversifying the economy are directed primarily at making 
the other economic sectors attractive to FDI. Despite Gabon's major assets, including the high level of per capita income and the availability of  certain inputs such as oil, the country remains 
relatively unattractive to FDI because of the limited size of the market, red tape, poor productivity 
reflected in low-skilled, high-cost labour, and weak infrastructure. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  1.22.  The global economic and financial crisis had a significant impact on FDI flows, which stood 
at US$33 million in 2009 (Table 1.3). However,  a recovery has been under way since 2010 
because of the healthy outlook in the oil sector. The wood processing sector is also attracting increasing amounts of FDI; in particular, a number of processing plants have been built since 
the ban on log exports. 
Table 1.3 Foreign Direct Investment, 2009-2011 
Foreign Direct Investment 2009 2010 2011 
FDI inflows (US$ million) 33 531 728 
FDI stock (US$ million) 1,267.4 1,798.4 2,526.4 
Performance indexa (ranking out of 181 economies) 166 155 131 
Potential indexb (ranking out of 177 economies) - - 87 
Number of Greenfield investmentsc 4.0 5.0 3.0 
Inward FDI (as a % of GFCFd) 1.4 19.8 15.8 
FDI stock (as a % of GDP) 8.2 9.6 10.5 
a The UNCTAD performance index is based on a rati o of the country's share in global FDI inflows 
and its share in global GDP. 
b The UNCTAD potential index is based on 12 econ omic and structural variables such as GDP, 
foreign trade, FDI, infrastructures, energy  use, R&D, education and country risk. 
c Greenfield investment is the ex-nihilo creati on of subsidiaries by the parent company. 
d Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) is an  indicator measuring the total amount of 
(essentially physical) investment over a one-year period. 
Source: UNCTAD - latest available data. 
1.4  Outlook 
1.23.  2012 saw the official launch of Gabon's strategic development plan, Gabon Émergent  
(Emerging Gabon). The plan sets out the develo pment ambitions for transforming Gabon into 
an emerging economy by 2025. In view of the depl etion of the country's mining and oil resources, 
the strategic plan aims to diversify the country 's production base while promoting sustainable 
development. The pillars of the strategy are the development of agricultural resources, 
industrial activities and services. In order to implement it successfully, the Government intends 
to improve the business climate by strengthenin g the public-private partnership framework, 
fostering a credible and transparent legal framework, and providing economic infrastructure. 
1.24.  The steady recovery of the global economy and the rally in the prices of the raw materials 
that Gabon exports mean that the outlook for economic growth is good. In addition, the "Emerging 
Gabon" strategic plan offers the prospect of sustained economic development. The various phases of the plan, if they come to fruition, should ma ke it possible to diversify Gabon's economic base 
and increase its resilience to international shocks in demand and price. The Directorate-General 
responsible for the economy is forecasting good  short and medium-term growth performance. 
The GDP growth rate should be 7.3% in 20 13, with more moderate growth projected 
for the following year (6.5%). Nevertheless, this positive progress is expected to continue 
until 2016, with rates of 7.7% and 8.1% in 2015 and 2016 respectively. GDP growth is expected 
to flow primarily from the construction and public works subsector and the forestry subsector, as well as from the wood industries. 
1.25.  However, the projections for Gabon's econom ic performance are still subject to some risk. 
Failure to maintain the impetus behind the curre nt economic reforms could dent the confidence 
of potential investors and, eventually, jeopardize the flow of investment. In addition, 
lack of progress with the regional integration process would restrict low-cost access 
to neighbouring markets and limit the opportunities for domestic production. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES 
2.1  Introduction 2.1.  Gabon's legal environment has not changed substantially since 2007. However, 2011 saw 
a constitutional amendment. The separation of powers is explicitly declared in the 
1991 Constitution (as revised in 2011). The Presid ent of the Republic, and the parliamentarians, 
are elected by direct universal  suffrage. There are 120 seats in the National Assembly and 102 
in the Senate (91 prior to the amendment). Judicial  power is exercised by the Constitutional Court, 
the Court of Cassation (the highest court in ci vil, commercial, social and criminal matters), 
the Council of State (the highest authority for administrative matters), the Court of Auditors, the Courts of Appeal, the ordinary courts, the High Court of Justice and other special jurisdictions. Commercial litigation between economic operators is heard in the ordinary courts. 
Judges are appointed by the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, under the presidency of the 
President of the Republic. 
2.2.  The Constitution remains the highest legal authority, coming before laws, ordinances, 
decrees and orders. International treaties and agreements have force of law once signed 
and ratified, subject to their implementation by the other parties. Subject to authorization from 
Parliament, the President of the Republic may take  measures by ordinance which normally require 
legislation. Ordinances are adopted by the Council of Ministers, following a ruling 
by the Constitutional Court. They enter into force upon publication, but expire if they 
are not ratified by Parliament at its following session. 
2.3.  Generally speaking, policies are drawn up and implemented by means of laws, 
decrees or ordinances. Each ministry is charged with formulating policies in its area 
of responsibility, and with drawing up the re levant draft laws. This process takes place 
in consultation with the other ministries and public services which may be affected 
by the measures under consideration. In addition, the Economic and Social Council is consulted 
about all legislative provisions of a fiscal, economic, social or cultural nature, and may be involved, at an earlier stage, in their preparation. To be  adopted, draft laws must be approved by each 
of the two chambers of Parliament (the Sena te and the National Assembly). The President 
of the Republic promulgates draft laws that have been passed by the Parliament. The laws 
are then published in the Official Journal of the Gabonese Republic. 
2.4.  The President of the Republic signs and pr omulgates international treaties and agreements. 
In principle they must be ratifi ed by the National Assembly, exce pt when a treaty or agreement 
is signed without reservation as to ratification, as was the case for the WTO Agreement (section 2.3.1). As soon as international treaties and agreements are signed they have force 
of law, subject to implementation by the other party to the treaty or agreement. 
They are applicable as law in Gabon as soon as they are ratified and are automatically binding. 
Under this system, the WTO Agreement may be invoked directly in Gabonese courts, 
although this has never yet happened. 
2.5.  The Ministry of Trade has responsibility fo r technical questions relating to the formulation 
and implementation of trade policy, including WTO-related matters, and all bilateral or plurilateral trade agreements. Other ministries are also involv ed in formulating and implementing trade policy, 
in particular the Ministry of Finance and the ministries responsible for sectoral matters. 
The authorities have indicated in the framework of  this Review that in July 2008, Gabon adopted 
its principal commercial law (the Single Commercial Code). The Code incorporates 
the OHADA rules and most of the legislation governing commercial activities, the objective being 
to foster private sector development. There ar e a number of laws, ordinances and regulations 
governing trade policies and practices in Gabon (Table 2.1). 
2.6.  Employers' and trade-union organization s are consulted on an ad hoc basis on the 
formulation of trade policy; however, there is still no permanent arrangement for consultations between the State and the private sector. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table 2.1 Gabon's principal trade- related laws and regulations, 2013 
Sector Instrument/law 
Customs legislation CEMAC Custom s Code, Gabonese Customs Tariff 
Decree No. 917/PR/MFEBP-CP of 24 June 1997 Law No. 10/2000 of 12 October 2000 
Status of trader, industrialist or craftsman Ordinance No. 10/89 of 28 September 1989 
Commercial Code 2008 (see references) 
Value added tax, excise du ties, and levies at the 
customs cordon Tax Code, Law No. 027/2008 of 22 January 2009  
Import prohibitions and licences  Decree No. 000455/PR/MCD/MEFBP of 14 June 1999  
Technical standards and regulations Ordinance No. 3/PR/2005 of 11 August 2005 
Decree No. 000103/PR/MCDIN of 25 January 2008 
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures Law No. 2/6565 of 5 June 1965 
Law No. 015/2005 of 8 August 2005 
Law No. 15/65 of 12 December 1965 
Law No. 2/65 of 5 June 1965 
Ordinance No. 50/78 of 21 August 1978 
Decree No. 000665/PR/MEFBP of 9 August 2004 
Ordinance No. 1/95 of 14 January 1995 
Decree No. 000820/PR/MSPP of 19 July 2001 
Order No. 00340 of 20 July 1999 
Investments Law No. 15/98 of 23 July 1998 
Promotion of SMEs and SMIs Law No. 16/2005 of 20 September 2006 
Mandji Island free zone Law No. 10/2000 of 12 October 2000 
Procedures and regulations for the 
establishment of private commercial enterprises  Seven uniform acts of the Organisation for the Harmonization 
of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) 
Protection of patents,  industrial designs, 
trademarks, new plant varieties Bangui Agreement (1999) 
Law No. 14/2003 of 28 January 2003 
Protection of copyrigh t and related rights Law No. 1/87 of 29 July 1987  
Competition and price control Law No. 14/98 of 23 July 1998 
Decree No. 000665/PR/MEFBP of 9 August 2004 Orders Nos. 0138 an d 0139/MEEDD/CABMIN/DGCC 
of 14 August 2012 Order No. 0140/MEEDD/CABMIN/DGCC of 14 August 2012
 
Privatization of State-owned enterprises Law No. 1/96 of 13 February 1996 
Government procurement Decree No. 0254/PR/MEEDD of 19 June 2012 
Environment Law No. 16/93 of 26 August 1993 
Forestry Law No. 16/2001 of 31 December 2001 
Law No. 4/2010 of 9 February 2010 
Agriculture  Law No. 23/2008 of 10 December 2008 
Law No. 14/63 of 8 May 1963 
Law No. 15/2005 of 8 August 2005 
Council Decision 2006/788/CE of 7 November 2006  
Mining Law No. 5/2000 of 12 October 2000  
Hydrocarbons Law No. 14/74 of 21 January 1974 
Law No. 14/82 of 24 January 1983 
Electricity Law No. 8/1993 of 7 April 1993 
Decree No. 628/PR/MMEP of 18 June 1997 
Water Law No. 8/1993 of 7 April 1993 
Decree No. 628/PR/MMEP of 18 June 1997 
Civil aviation Law No. 7/65 of 5 June 1965 
CEMAC Civil Aviation Code of 21 July 2000 
Telecommunications Law No. 6/2001 of 27 June 2001 
Postal services Law No. 4/2001 of 27 June 2001 
Tourism Ordinance No. 2/2000 of 12 October 2000 
Law No. 004/2000 ratifying Ordinance No. 002/PR 
of 12 February 2000 on the regime applicable 
to tourism investments 
Law No. 016/2001 
Decree No. 649/PR of 25 May 2001 
Exchange rate regime Regulation No. 02/00/CEMAC/UMAC/CM 
Banking and microfinance services Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and Central African 
Monetary Union provisions 
Insurance Insurance Code of the Inte r-African Conference on Insurance 
Markets (CIMA) 
Source:  Gabonese authorities. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  2.7.  Efforts are being made to address th e numerous governance problems. In addition 
to the adoption, in 2012, of a Government Procurement Code to foster transparency and strengthen government procurement control mechanisms (Chapter 3), recently adopted measures include: auditing of the civil service; effective application of the principle that members 
of the government and senior officials must decl are their assets; and an audit of the oil sector 
to gain a better understanding of the financial flows from this industry. The country has made progress since joining the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2005. 
Based on the validation report submitted to the EITI Board in October 2010, Gabon has attained 
the status of a country which is "close to compliance".
6 
2.2  Trade policy objectives 2.8.  In 2006 Gabon adopted the GPRSP, which identifies five objectives: consolidation of the 
macroeconomic framework; growth by means of economic diversification and regional integration; 
human development and the fight against poverty; territorial planning and the preservation of the environment; and consolidation of the rule of law, administrative reform and regional integration. 
These objectives are backed by a programme of macroeconomic stabilization and structural 
reform, supported by the International Monetary Fund since May 2007. 
2.9.  In 2012, the Government officially launched  its national development strategy in the form 
of the "Emerging Gabon" strategic plan. The aim is  to achieve inclusive growth which is strong, 
sustainable and diversified by unlocking the count ry's potential in the areas of energy, mining, 
forestry, tourism, agriculture and agro-industry. To  this end, the authorities intend to reconcile 
economic diversification with sustainable development by: improving the business climate 
for private sector development; strengthening in frastructure to support growth centres outside 
the oil subsector; and ensuring the conservation of natural resources. 
2.10.  In terms of trade policy, the object ive of the "Emerging Gabon" strategic plan 
is the sustainable integration of Gabo n into subregional and global trade. 
2.11.  With assistance from the European Union through the Trade Support Programme 
for the Gabonese Republic (PROGACOM), the authorities are planning to develop the private 
sector, especially Gabonese SMEs/SMIs, and build the institutional capacities of the Ministry 
responsible for trade (development of a trade strategy and enhanced implementation of trade agreements). 
2.3  Trade agreements and arrangements 
2.3.1  World Trade Organization (WTO) 
2.12.  Gabon is a founding Member of the WTO (common report, Chapter 2). The concessions 
made by Gabon at the conclusion of the Uruguay Round are contained in Schedule XLVII 
as regards goods and in document GATS/SC/34 as regards services. Having breached its tariff 
bindings (Chapter 3.1.3), Gabon is currently ta king the necessary steps to renegotiate them. 
In the framework of the multilateral trade negotiations, Gabon is a member of the following 
groups: ACP, African Group, G-90 and "W52" sponsors. 
2.13.  Gabon is continuing to experience di fficulties with the implementation of the 
WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation, and has reiterated the need for technical assistance in this area. 
2.14.  According to the authorities, the Mi nistry responsible for trade has introduced 
a notification mechanism identifying the focal points in all the relevant administrations. However, few notifications have been made to the WTO during the review period (Table 2.2). 
This may be attributable in part to poor coordination between the focal points and certain technical 
services. This is, for example, the case for the adoption and notification of technical regulations in the field of wood processing (Chapter 3). 
                                               
6 African Development Bank (2011). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table 2.2 Notifications, 2007-2013 
Requirement WTO document Content 
Article XXVIII:5 of the GATT G/MA/218 of 12 November 2008 Invocation of paragraph 5 
of Article XXVIII 
Trade-related aspects 
of intellectual property rights  IP/N/3/Rev.11 of 4 February 2010 Notification of contact points 
under Article 69 
of the Agreement 
Anti-dumping practices G/ADP/N/193/GAB of 29 June 2010 Notification under Articles 16.4 
and 16.5 of the Agreement 
Subsidies and countervailing 
measures G/SCM/N/186/GAB of 12 July 2010 New and full notification 
pursuant to Article XVI:1 of the 
GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the 
Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures  
Agriculture G/AG/N/GAB/4 of 13 July 2010 Notification 
Agriculture G/AG/N/GAB/3 of 13 July 2010 Notification 
Rules of origin G/RO/N/65 of 3 Augu st 2010 Notification under paragraph 4 
of Annex II to the Agreement on Rules of Origin 
Anti-dumping practices, subsidies 
and countervailing measures, 
safeguards G/ADP/N/1/GAB/1; 
G/SCM/N/1/GAB/1; and 
G/SG/N/1/GAB/1 of 26 October 2010 Notification of laws and 
regulations under Articles 18.5, 
32.6 and 12.6 of the Agreements  
Anti-dumping practices, subsidies and countervailing measures, safeguards G/ADP/N/1/GAB/2; 
G/SCM/N/1/GAB/2; G/SG/N/1/GAB/2 of 3 March 2011 Notification of laws and 
regulations under Articles 18.5, 32.6 and 12.6 of the Agreements
 
Source: WTO (2012) Central Registry of Notifications online information. Viewed at: 
http://docsonline.wto.org/GEN_ CRNsearch.asp [6 March 2013]. 
2.15.  In July 2008, Gabon conducted an evaluation of its trade facilitation needs. This exercise, 
in which all national stakeholders participated, made it possible to take stock of the situation where trade facilitation was concerned and rank th e priorities. In 2012, the development of a trade 
facilitation implementation plan was initiated by UNCTAD. The authorities intend to undertake 
a series of actions in accordance with this plan, including in particular the effective implementation of pre-arrival processing and the streamlining of the number of actors at the port of entry. 
2.3.2  Other trade arrangements 
2.16.  In addition to the CEMAC trade preference s, Gabon is granted trade preferences by the EU 
and the United States (common report, Chapter 2). 
2.4  Investment 
2.17.  No significant changes have been made to the investment regime since the previous 
Review. As a general rule, responsibility for invest ment policy rests with the Ministry responsible 
for industry or the ministries responsible for the relevant economic sectors where technical issues 
are concerned, and with the Ministry responsible for finance where financial issues are concerned. 
2.18.  The primary regulatory framework for all investment in Gabon is the 1998 Investment 
Charter
7, supplemented by specific regimes for the exploitation of natural resources, 
such as the Mining Code and the regime for oil prospecting and exploration. Gabon has a regime 
for the promotion of SMEs and SMIs in all sectors of activity.8 However, difficulties with its 
effective implementation remain. 
2.19.  The Investment Charter provides guarantees to all foreign investors, irrespective 
of nationality. It reaffirms: that every investor is  free to engage in business; the right to property, 
including intellectual property; the right to repatriate capital invested and profits realized, as well as savings made on salaries by expatriate staff; the right to access to foreign exchange and free 
movement of capital; and transparent application of business law and labour law. 
                                               
7 Law No. 15/98 of 23 July 1998. 
8 Law No. 16/2005 of 20 September 2006. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  2.20.  The Enterprise Development Centre (CDE), formerly the Private Investment Promotion 
Agency (APIP), is responsible for dealing with administrative formalities for investors. The average period of time needed to set up an enterprise in Gabon has decreased from 60 days at the time of the previous Review to around 9 days (where as the Charter stipulates a period of 48 hours). 
In Gabon all direct investment must also be declared in advance, with completion of the operation 
taking place within the following 20 days; a report must be sent to the Ministry responsible for finance within the same time-frame. 
2.21.  Fiscal and customs incentives are not provid ed for in the Charter, but are contained either 
in various regulations or in agreements between the investor and the Gabonese State. Under the Tax Code, new enterprises engaged in industrial, mining, agricultural or forestry 
activities are entitled to certain incentives upon application to the Ministry responsible for 
finance. In addition, the regime for the promotion of SMEs and SMIs is available for enterprises 
that meet the stipulated criteria and have obta ined approval from the Ministry responsible for 
SMEs and SMIs (Table 2.3). Foreign investors in Gabon may only benefit from this regime by going 
into partnership, as minority shareholders (with a maximum of 49% of the equity), 
with Gabonese nationals. 
2.22.  Many bilateral agreements on investments are in force in Gabon. In addition, trade-related 
bilateral agreements have been signed with a number of countries, including Argentina, Brazil, 
China, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand and the United States. Gabon is a member of, or signatory to, several international treaties 
and agreements concerning investment (common report, Chapter 2). 
Table 2.3 Investment incentives, 2012  
Regime for new agricultural, industrial or mining enterprises 
Eligibility requirements: 
 - at the end of the third fiscal year, the activity must have required fixed and permanent assets equal  to ten times the amount of the prof its realized during that same year 
 - it must not merely be the developmen t of one or more existing activities 
 - the main objective of the new enterprise must not be to compete with activities satisfactorily  performed in the territory by existing enterprises  - the enterprise must keep proper accounts in accordance with OHADA accounting standards 
Tax benefits: 
 
- exemption from corporation tax (IS) or personal in come tax for two years and deductions on taxable 
 profits for the following four years 
 
SME/SMI regime 
Approval requirements: 
 
- the headquarters must be located in Gabon 
 
- the objective must be the production, processing or  distribution of goods or the supply of services 
 
- a minimum of 51% of the equity of the enterprise must be held by Gabonese nationals who are also 
 responsible for its management 
 
- capital must not exceed CFAF 1 billion 
 
- annual turnover must not exceed CFAF 2 billion 
 
- at least 50% of permanent employ ees must be Gabonese nationals 
 
- an investment programme must exist involving in  particular at least one of the following: the 
 establishment, take-over, modernization, rehabilitati on, restructuring or  expansion of the activities or 
 further training for the staff of an enterprise; or an improvement in working conditions and the quality 
 of work 
 WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Regime for new agricultural, industrial or mining enterprises 
Range of benefits:  
 - access to government SME/SMI funding agencies  - priority access to the go vernment procur ement market 
 - exemption from profits tax and customs taxes on inputs for five years  - preferential prices for petroleu m products and preferential rates for the transport of materials, 
 equipment and certain products  - preferential rates for assistance  from any authorized State body 
 - State subsidization of interest rates 
Source: Law No. 027/2008 of 22 January 2009. 
 WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3  TRADE POLICY BY MEASURE 
3.1  Measures directly affecting imports 3.1.1  Registration and procedures 3.1.  The registration requirements for importers have not changed since the last 
Review of Gabon's trade policy. All importers must obtain a " fiche circuit " (trader's card) issued 
by the Single Window Service in the Enterprise  Development Centre (CDE). The CDE also takes 
care of the formalities for operators to be listed in the commercial register and registered with 
the Directorate-General of Taxation.
9 These requirements are the same for natural and legal 
persons, whether Gabonese nationals or foreigne rs; for nationals, however, the fees are lower.10 
Traders must also present their business licence fee (patente)  receipt.11 
3.2.  An import declaration (DPI) issued by the Directorate responsible for external trade 
is required for all imports. In addition, payments in respect of imports with an f.o.b. value 
of CFAF 5,000,000 or more must be domiciled with an approved bank. 
3.3.  Generally speaking, Gabon's Customs procedures are governed by the CEMAC Customs Code. 
However, Gabon does not apply Article 113 of the Code, which allows the owners of goods 
to complete customs formalities for imports themselves. These formalities must be completed on the importer's behalf by an approved customs agent. Gabon requires a deposit 
of CFAF 25 million for exercise of the profession  of approved customs agent. Under Regulation 
No. 11/10-UEAC-207-CM-21, the fees collected are subject to approval by the CEMAC Commission, after the national chambers of commerce have been consulted. They consist of a flat-rate amount and a variable component. 
3.4.  An expedited clearance scheme allows certain operators to benefit from rapid customs 
clearance. The eligibility criteria for this scheme relate, inter alia , to the operator's contribution 
to fiscal revenue and the origin and country of last export of the goods. 
3.5.  There is also a fast-track clearance procedure (PAD) under which goods can be cleared 
on submission of the simplified import declarat ion (DSI); the customs authorities allow access 
to this procedure on an annual renewable basis.
12 The DSI must be supplemented by the definitive 
declaration within 15 days. This procedure meets the needs of perishable products. 
As at 31 December 2012, 38 enterprises had access to the PAD. 
3.6.  According to the authorities, the average clearance time is 24 hours after the customs 
declaration has been submitted, accompanied by all the requisite documents. 
3.7.  Gabon has been using the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA++) since 
2 June 2003. Apart from one customs office, all the others (more than 99% of goods) 
are computerized. However, there is no risk management system. All containers imported into 
Gabon are scanned, apart from those which are specifically exempted, and the associated costs 
are borne by the importer. 
3.8.  All imports must be the subject of a "detailed declaration" accompanied by: the original 
invoice; the bill of lading, i.e. the contract betw een the consignor and the carrier; the packing list, 
which provides a full description of the contents of the shipment; the insurance certificate; the cargo identification note (BIC) issued by th e Gabonese Shippers' Council, the fees for which 
vary depending on the origin of the imports (from €30 for France to US$120 for 
the United States); the certificate of origin (the EUR 1 form for products of European Union 
origin); for agrifood products, a certificate that they are free of radioactive contamination; a phytosanitary certificate for products of plant origin; and a sanitary certificate for products 
                                               
9 Ordinance No. 10/89 of 28 September 1989. 
10 The fees are as follows: for individual undertakings, CFAF 45,000 for Gabonese nationals 
and CFAF 95,000 for foreigners; for companies, CFAF 95,000 for Gabonese companies and CFAF 200,000 for foreign companies. 
11 Annexes I and II to the General Ta x Code define the professions and set out the fees for the related 
licences. 
12 Order No. 362/MFBP/DG.DDI/DG of 29 October 1987. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  of animal origin. The duties and taxes are paid eith er by means of a clearing credit or by direct 
payment (in cash or by certified bank cheque). 
3.9.  The provisions of the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation are reproduced unchanged 
in the CEMAC Customs Code.13 However, Gabon is experiencing difficulties with the application 
of the Agreement (no value index, use of reference values, use of guide list values for motor 
vehicles). Gabon is seeking technical assistance in order to build its capacity in this respect. 
3.10.   For customs disputes, Gabon applies the relevant provisions of the CEMAC Customs Code. 
If the amount involved does not exceed CFAF 50 million, the matter is referred 
to the Director General of Customs. For higher amounts, the Minister responsible for finance takes care of the settlement of the dispute. Disputes which remain unresolved are referred to the National Arbitration Commission. Judicial review is the final avenue of appeal. Disputes involving 
two or more CEMAC countries are referred to the CEMAC Arbitration Commi ssion for arbitration. 
If the latter's decision is contested, the matter goes  to the CEMAC Council of Ministers. If it still 
has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties, an appeal may be made to the judicial 
authorities of the Community. 
3.1.2  Customs levies 3.1.2.1  MFN applied tariff 
3.11.  Gabon is still applying the CEMAC's CET (common report, Chapter 3), but 163 tariff lines 
carry rates which differ from those in the CET. Gabon applies rates that are lower than those in the CET to 141 tariff lines, for the most part covering food products, pharmaceutical products, and optical instruments and apparatus. It applie s rates which are higher than those in the CET 
to 22 tariff lines, mostly covering products of the textile, metal and chemical industries. 
These derogations from the CEMAC's CET appear to be a response to social concerns or requests 
by economic operators, and consist mainly of declassifications. 
3.1.2.2  Other import duties and taxes 
3.12.  Other import duties and taxes are imposed on the c.i.f. customs value of imported goods. 
These are the 1% Community integration tax (T CI) collected on behalf of CEMAC, which 
is applicable to imports originating in non-CEMAC countries; the 0.4% ECCAS Community 
integration contribution (CCI), applicable to imports originating in non-ECCAS countries; the fee for use of the customs ADP system (RUSID), which is  proportional to the amount of time actually 
spent on the system; and the 0.05% OHADA le vy (common report, Chapter 3). In addition, 
the authorities have indicated that under the 2013 Finance Law, a scanning fee (RDS) 
of CFAF 85,000 per TEU has been introduced for containers which are scanned. 
3.1.3  Bindings 
3.13.  Gabon has bound all its tariff lines at a ceiling of 60% for agricultural products; and 15% 
for non-agricultural products, with the exception of a few tariff lines bound at 60%. The average 
bound rate is 22%. 
3.14.  "Other duties and taxes" are bound at a ceiling of 150%. 
3.15.  For 2,058 tariff lines (38.6% of Gabon's tariff), the applied rates are still higher than 
the bound rates. This is the case for many non-agricultural products in particular, for which the applicable rates are either 20% or 30%, thus higher than the bound rate of 15%. 
The authorities are currently taking steps to renegotiate them. 
                                               
13 CEMAC Customs Code. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.1.4  Internal taxes 
3.16.  A new Tax Code arising out of Law No. 027/2008 was adopted in 2009, but this did not 
result in any significant changes to the indirect taxation regime applicable to imports. In general, Gabon applies the harmonized (at Community level)  elements of the VAT and excise duty regimes 
(common report, Chapter 3). 
3.17.  Imports, like goods and services produced locally, are subject to VAT at the standard rate 
of 18%. The General Tax Code lists the commodities  (which may be imported or locally produced) 
which are exempt from VAT. The list is made up primarily of certain essential food products, 
agricultural equipment and inputs, medicines,  books and newspapers. In addition, imports 
of goods which are zero-rated under the CE MAC Customs Code, namely fishing vessels 
and aircraft, are exempt from VAT. Some local products remain exempt from VAT, unlike imports 
of those products (Table 3.1). 
3.18.  Other imported or locally produced goods are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 10%. 
These include, inter alia : mineral waters produced in Gabo n; imported meat and poultry; 
imported chickens; imported table oil; sugar; imported groundnuts; cement; washing powder; 
concrete reinforcing rods; fishing equipment; outboard motors; spare parts for automobiles; automobile axles; building tiles; steel tips; raincoats; tomato concentrate; and canned dried 
vegetables, green vegetables and fruit. In January 2011, a reduced rate of 5% was introduced 
for certain fast-moving consumer products in order to alleviate excessive increases in their price. 
The products concerned are cement, water and electricity for the underprivileged (a reduced rate of 10% on water and electricity consumption has b een introduced for the rest of the population). 
Exports are subject to the zero rate regime. 
Table 3.1 Differences in internal taxati on of imported and local products, 2013 
Product VAT (local products)  VAT (imports) 
Groundnuts 0 10 
Coffee 0 18 
Cocoa 0 18 
Pork, beef, mutton and other meat 0 10 
Chicken 0 10 
Duck and poultry 0 10 
Eggs 0 18 
Fresh, frozen, smok ed, salted fish 0 18 
Cassava 0 18 
Plantains 0 18 
Bananas 0 18 
Yams, taro, potatoes 0 18 
Various fruits and vegetables 0 18 
Table oil 0 10 
Mineral waters 10 18 
Note: Does not include VAT exemptions or the lower VAT  rate for products made by local companies under 
customs taxation agreements (for example, SIGALI, SIAT-Gabon, SUCAF-Gabon, etc.). 
Source: General Tax Code, 2011 edition. 
3.19.  Gabon continues to levy excise duties on alcoholic beverages, perfumes and cosmetics, 
and cigarettes and tobacco. The rates are: 20% on local or imported beer, 25% on local 
or imported wine, 32% on champagne and other alcoholic beverages; 25% on perfumery and cosmetic products; 25% on caviar, foie gras and salmon; and 30% on cigarettes, 
cigars and tobacco. It should be noted that the tax base for locally produced products 
is the ex-factory price before tax, with a 30% deduction, whereas the tax base for imported products is the customs value plus the duties and taxes collected at the customs cordon, with the 
exception of VAT. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.20.  By discriminating against imported products in its levying of VAT and excise duty, 
Gabon is breaching the WTO principle of national treatment. According to the authorities, the aim 
of these measures is to encourage domestic production. 
3.1.5  Preferences 
3.21.  In principle, Gabon grants preferences und er the CEMAC generalized preferential tariff (TPG) 
(common report, Chapter 3). 
3.1.6  Duty and tax exemptions and concessions 
3.22.  The duty and tax exemptions and concessi ons regime has not changed since the previous 
Review. Gabon grants exemptions from customs duties and taxes under the CEMAC Customs Code. The suspensive customs regimes provided for in the Code include: transit; regular or special temporary admission
14; and in-bond warehousing. The processing or suspensive 
economic regimes are: inward processing; outward processing; and drawback (common report, 
Chapter 3). 
3.23.  In addition, exemptions from customs du ties and taxes are still granted to approved 
enterprises under the special SME/SMI regime, th e Forestry Code and the regime applicable 
to investment in tourism, as well as to companies engaged in oil prospecting and exploration operations, and to various companies under customs taxation agreements. 
3.24.  The shortfall generated by exemptions rose  from around CFAF 85 billion in 2007 to almost 
CFAF 228 billion in 2012. 
3.1.7  Prohibitions, quantitative restrictions and licensing 3.25.  The import prohibition and restriction measures have not changed since 
the previous Review. 
3.26.  There is still a ban on importing weapons of war, ammunition for such weapons, 
and narcotics. An authorization from the President of the Republic is required to import sidearms, 
and imports of hunting weapons and ammunition must be authorized by the 
Ministry of the Interior. 
3.27.  For reasons of sanitary protection, a sanita ry or phytosanitary certificate, as appropriate, 
must be obtained for imports of a list of food and pharmaceutical products (common report, 
Chapter 3). 
3.28.  Gabon continues to impose prohibitions and restrictions pursuant to the multilateral 
environmental agreements it has signed.
15 Within the country, hunting permits must conform 
to the provisions of the Convention on Internat ional Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora (CITES), and according to the authorities this rule consequently also applies to official exports of hunting trophies. At the customs cordon, Gabon applies control measures 
on ozone-depleting substances in accordance with the common framework adopted by the CEMAC 
member countries (common report, Chapter 3). It also applies the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides 
in International Trade, and the Chemical Weapon s Convention. Implementation of the Stockholm 
Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is under way. Gabon ratified the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal in 2010. 
The authorities have indicated that there is also a ban on imports of non-recyclable plastics. 
                                               
14 Special temporary admission requires the payment of  customs duties and taxes according to the time 
during which the material and equipment concerned are used  in Gabon, plus an interest rate (Article 167 of the 
CEMAC Customs Code). 
15 Environmental Treaties and Re source Indicators (ENTRI). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.29.  Although Gabon has notified the WTO of the abolition of all quantitative import restrictions, 
except those on sugar for which the time-limit was the end of 200416, the import of sugar into 
Gabon remains prohibited. In addition, CIMGABON holds the monopoly on the import of cement. 
3.1.8  Standardization, accreditation and certification 
3.30.  Gabon has not made any notifications to the WTO regarding its standardization regime 
(including its notification authority and enquiry point), or its accreditation and certification procedures. However, it appears that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is the notification 
authority, and the Standardization and Technology Transfer Agency (ANTT) is the enquiry point. 
3.31.  In principle the ANTT's mission is, inter alia , to provide standardization, accreditation 
and certification services in Gabon. It is also responsible for the promotion of quality in production activities and the establishment of an appropriate framework for metrology development.
17 
3.32.   The authorities have indicated that a draft law on the organization of the standardization 
process is under preparation. At present, standardization may be initiated by the Government, by consumer associations or by economic operators (producers). The ANTT coordinates 
all activities related to the adoption of standards/technical regulations. On receipt of a request 
for the introduction of a standard, it forwards the files to the relevant technical committee. In 2012 there were three technical committees, dealing with agri-foods, construction and civil 
engineering, and tourism and related activities. In  fields where there is no technical committee, 
the ANTT can set up an ad hoc technical committee to deal with a request for the development of a standard. The technical committees are responsible not only for developing standards, but also for withdrawing them should the need arise. Draft standards undergo a public enquiry 
stage, during which amendments are sought from the relevant stakeholders. They are, in principle, 
published on the ANTT website.
18 Following this stage, the standards are adopted by the technical 
committees. Finally, they are published in the Official Journal by an order of the Minister 
responsible for industry. 
3.33.  As at 31 December 2012, Gabon had 11 (voluntary) standards in the fields of: agri-foods, 
construction and civil engineering, and tourism and related activities. According to the authorities, 
on the same date there were 24 standards at th e public enquiry stage and almost 150 others 
at the final stage of the adoption process. All of them are based on international standards. 
3.34.  No technical regulations originating in the ANTT are in force in Gabon. In the absence 
of a centralized framework for adopting technical regulations, some public administrations have 
done so with no legal basis per se . Thus, the Ministry of Water Resources and Forests has recently 
adopted mandatory standards on wood processing. To some extent, this situation is contributing to the weakness of the WTO notification system. Th e ANTT indicated, in the context of this Review, 
that its services do not know of any duly adopted technical regulations in force in Gabon. 
However, the various ministries that have adopted technical regulations are responsible for conformity checks, and there is a risk that this will lead to increased numbers of officials 
operating at entry points. 
3.35.  On 21 February 2013, Gabon adopted a decree establishing a national system 
for the assessment of conformity to standards
19, although it has yet to be implemented. A mutual 
recognition agreement on conformity assessment has been signed with Turkey. 
3.36.  Gabon's ANTT has drawn up a programme of work for the period 2012-2014. It has been a 
member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) since 1 January 2012. 
                                               
16 WTO document G/LIC/N/1/GAB/2 of 13 March 2002. 
17 Decree No. 000103/PR/MCDIN of 25 January 2008. 
18 Online information. View ed at: http://www.antt.ga. 
19 Decree No. 0341/PR/MIM of 28 February 2013. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.1.9  Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures 
3.37.  Gabon is a member of the World Health Organization, the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius 
Commission, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and several other African and global conventions. 
3.38.  The legal and institutional framework for food safety controls is characterized 
by the presence of many actors with no real coordination, and the existence of a large number 
of laws and regulations which overlap. As a result, the sanitary control system remains ineffective 
and costly for economic stakeholders. Better coordination of food control activities was one 
of the aims of the creation of the Gabonese Food Safety Agency in 2011.
20 
3.39.  The main provisions regulating food qual ity control are contained in Ordinance No. 50/78 
of 21 August 1978, which applies to all the econom ic stakeholders involved in trade in food 
products (producers, carriers, sellers, impo rters and exporters). Under this ordinance, 
controls must be carried out on the basis of the national and international standards adopted by Gabon. 
3.40.  The Directorates-General responsible for ag riculture and livestock conduct controls on food 
products of vegetable or animal origin. Or der No. 00340 of 20 July 1999 sets out the costs 
and fines related to quality controls on foodstuffs. At importation, a fee of CFAF 2 per kilogram 
is levied on non-manufactured food products, CFAF 1 on manufactured food products 
(canned foods, beverages, confectionery, etc.) and CFAF 0.50 per kilogram on fast-moving consumer products (rice, flour, etc.). In re spect of production and local marketing, a fee 
of CFAF 10,000 is payable for each inspection report drawn up. Fines for violations of the food 
safety requirements range from CFAF 100,000 to CFAF 500,000. 
3.41.  In addition, under Law No. 015/2005 the Directorate-General of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 
through its quality and health inspection service (SQIS), is responsible for monitoring the quality 
of fisheries products. On the basis of Decree No. 000665/PR/MEFBP of 9 August 2004, 
the Directorate-General of Competition and Consumption takes samples of all food products on the market, for laboratory analysis. Pursuant to Ordinance No. 1/95 of 14 January 1995 
and Decree No. 000820/PR/MSPP of 19 July 2001, the Institute of Public Hygiene and Sanitation 
checks hygiene conditions in premises where foodstuffs are stored, produced and sold, as well as conducting controls on all the processes involved in food production. Municipality and local authority public hygiene and sanitation inspection services carry out foodstuff control operations 
within their own geographic areas. The controls are frequently directed at perishable products 
(visual inspection, use-by date, etc.). Certific ates of conformity are issued on completion 
of the controls. 
3.42.  The same sanitary regulations apply to  domestic products and imports and exports 
of any type of food product.
21 These ban the sale of any food that has passed its use-by date 
or is adulterated or toxic, as well as food that does not meet the technical regulations in force 
(for example, the sale of non-iodized salt). In principle, a product inspected and certified abroad 
is not inspected again in Gabon unless there are doubts concerning its quality. The Control and Quality Laboratory undertakes this task for foodstuffs. Gabon has also introduced technical regulations concerning animal health
22, a sanitary inspectorate for their enforcement23, 
and sanitary technical regulations on meat, the slaughter of animals, and fish products.24 
There is a phytosanitary inspectorate for import s and exports of plants and the packaging used 
to transport them.25 The importer must pay the inspection and control costs. 
                                               
20 Decree No. 0292/PR of 18 February 2011. 
21 Ordinance No. 50/78 of 21 August 1978. 
22 Law No. 15/65 of 12 December 1965. 
23 Law No. 73/77 of 15 December 1977. 
24 Law No. 15/65 of 12 December 1965. 
25 Law No. 2/65 of 5 June 1965. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.43.  Foodstuffs of avian or porcine origin and their by-products are subject to a special 
procedure in order to prevent the outbreak of avian influenza.26 They must be the subject 
of a prior import declaration, and are inspected without charge within a period not exceeding 48 hours after their arrival in Gabon. Gabon suspended, until 2011, the importation of meat 
products and their by-products from countries declared by the World Organisation for 
Animal Health to be infected with avian influenza. Order No. 129/06/MEFBP/CABME/SG/DGCC of 22 February 2006 lays down the conditions for suspending imports of food products 
and foodstuffs if an epizootic outbreak or other animal or plant disease is declared. 
3.1.10  Packaging, marking and labelling requirements 3.44.  In Gabon, eggs must be marked. All peri shable foodstuffs, cosmetics and pharmaceutical 
products sold must also bear a label in French showing their origin, their use-by date 
and the specification of the substances used.
27 
3.1.11  Contingency measures 3.45.  Gabon has never taken contingency measures. Moreover, it has no national legal framework 
in this respect.
28 Nevertheless, the relevant Community framework applies and Law No. 14/98 
of 23 July 1998 addresses certain issues relating to trade defence measures. In principle the Government may, after hearing the opinion of the Competition Commission (which is not yet 
in place), take contingency measures or impose surcharges on products whose importation 
threatens to cause injury to an existing domestic industry or jeopardizes the start-up of a domestic industry. 
3.2  Measures directly affecting exports 
3.2.1  Customs procedures 
3.46.  The registration formalities applicable to the import of goods for commercial purposes also 
apply to export (section 2 above). All exports require a customs declaration. Expedited clearance 
under the simplified export declaration (DESE)  scheme is available to certain exporters. 
A document showing the foreign exchange commi tment, endorsed by the bank with which 
the transaction is domiciled, is required for all export transactions. According to the authorities, 
the average time for customs procedures at export is 24 hours. 
3.2.2  Export duties and taxes 3.47.  Gabon has abolished most of its export duties and taxes. However, manganese is subject 
to an export tax of 3.5% of its reference value. A felling tax of 1.5% of the f.o.b. value is levied 
on processed or semi-manufactured wood at expo rt. Since January 2012, specific taxes have been 
levied on exports of wood at different levels of processing: 
 CFAF 300,000/m
3 on peeled and sliced veneers; 
 CFAF 400,000/m3 on sawn timber of the following woods: Kevazingo, Padauk, Wengé, 
Pau Rosa, Doussié, Sapelli, Sipo; 
 CFAF 200,000/m3 on sawn timber of Okoumé and other miscellaneous woods; 
 CFAF 228,000/m3 on plywood, friezes, mouldings, door frames and furniture; and 
 CFAF 210,000/m3 on other categories of processed wood. 
3.2.3  Prohibitions, quantitative restri ctions, export controls and licensing 
3.48.  Gabon banned all log exports in 2010 to promote the local processing of wood. 
                                               
26 Presidential Decree of 28 October 2005. 
27 Article 30, Law No. 14/98 of 23 July 1998. 
28 WTO documents G/ADP/N/1/GAB/2; G/SCM/N/1/GAB/2; and G/SG/N/1/GAB/2 of 3 March 2011. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.49.  There are special formalities for the export of certain products. Thus, a hunting permit 
is required to export the carcasses and trophies of common game hunted. The holders of permits for operating hydrocarbon deposits may export their output freely. Pursuant to the Mining Code and its implementing decree
29, mining products may be freely exported if the mining company 
holds an operating permit or a concession for the mining product concerned; if this is not the case, 
an export authorization issued by the Minister responsible for mining is required. The export 
of precious substances requires a certificate of origin issued at a cost of CFAF 50,000 for diamonds 
and CFAF 25,000 for other precious substances, as well as endorsement by the 
customs authorities. 
3.2.4  Export subsidies, promotion and assistance 3.50.  Responsibility for implementing the policy  for the promotion of Gabonese exports lies with 
the Investment and Export Promotion Agency (APIEX). The Agency's principal function 
is to provide support to Gabonese exporters in the context of international trade fairs and exhibitions, as well as in economic forums. Within APIEX, the AGOA Resource Centre helps 
Gabonese exporters to benefit from the trad e preferences granted under the AGOA scheme. 
3.51.  The authorities have indicated that APIEX plans to introduce a capacity building programme 
for exporters, as well as assistance with bringing export products into line with international 
standards. 
3.52.  Since 2008, enterprises that export plyw ood to the European Union have been granted 
a corporation tax credit equivalent to 50% of the customs duties paid. 
3.53.  Exports are eligible for the zero VAT rate regime. VAT on inputs is refunded at the request 
of the economic operators concerned; the repa yment period is three months. Under the CEMAC 
Customs Code, customs duties may be suspended for export-oriented activities under the inward processing regime, and the same applies to materials and equipment under the temporary 
admission procedure (common report, Chapter 3). The drawback regime allows full or partial 
refund of import duties and taxes levi ed on inputs used in goods exported.
30 
3.54.  The Mandji Island free zone (ZFI) envisaged at the time of Gabon's first Trade Policy Review 
has still not started to operate. However, the authorities have indicated in the context of this 
Review that the adoption of the legal act concerning the ZFI has entered its final phase. 
3.3  Measures affecting production and trade 3.3.1  Incentives 
3.55.  Gabon's most recent notification to th e WTO on subsidies and aid covers the period 
from 2001 to 2010, and indicates that no aid or subsidies contrary to its obligations under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures were granted during that period.
31 
3.56.  Around 20% of the State's annual budget goes to finance "transfers and aid", 
including CFAF 327,194 billion in subsidies in 2011 (CFAF 27,472 billion for SOGARA) and CFAF 247,014 billion in 2012 (CFAF 28 billion for SOGARA). 
3.57.  Other support measures are provided to companies approved under the SME/SMI regime, 
the Forestry Code, the Mining Code, the oil pros pecting and exploration regime, or the special 
regime for tourism investment. Public services such as electricity, water, urban transport services and postal services also receive State support (Chapter 4). 
                                               
29 Law No. 05-2000 of 12 October 2000, as amended; and the decree implementing the Mining Code. 
30 Law No. 10/2000 of 12 October 2000. 
31 WTO document G/SCM/N/186/GAB of 12 July 2010. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.3.2  Competition and price control 
3.58.  Competition in Gabon is still regulated by Law No. 14/98 of 23 July 1998. This law prohibits 
anti-competitive practices such as unlawful understandings or abuse of a dominant market position, as well as certain trade practices (selling at a loss, refusal to sell, sales subject 
to conditions, discriminatory selling, etc.). Understandings accounting for no more than 5% 
of the domestic market are not covered by the scope of this law; the same applies where the turnover of participating companies does not exceed the threshold of CFAF 150 million. 
Economic concentration must be notified to the Minister responsible for the economy, 
who may decide, after having sought the opinio n of the Directorate-General of Competition 
and Consumption (DGCC), to prohibit it or accept it under certain conditions. The threshold for such concentration is 25% of sales, purchases or transactions on the domestic market 
for the product or service in question. 
3.59.  Within the Ministry responsible for the economy, the DGCC was set up in 2004, inter alia  
to implement the Government's policy on the regulation of competition and price control.
32 
The most recent violations of the competition rules have been in the petroleum products 
distribution, bakery flour distribution and mo bile telecommunications subsectors. These were 
mainly cases of discriminatory selling. 
3.60.  In principle, the two main instruments fo r regulating competition at the Community level 
are the regulation of anti-competitive practice s and the regulation of government practices 
affecting trade between the member States (commo n report). However, the relevant provisions 
have not yet been implemented. 
3.61.  Gabon's price control regime is based on the 1998 competition law, which lays down 
the general principle of free pricing and free trad e within Gabon; prices must be transparent 
and an invoice must be prepared and issued to the buyer. The Government may control the price 
of goods and services if competition is distorted, particularly in sectors where monopolies have 
been established. Thus, it reserves the right to monitor prices set by economic operators for water and electricity (for which the formulas used to modify prices are determined in the concession 
agreement with the Gabon Energy and Water Company (SEEG)) (Chapter 4.3), textbooks 
and rent. The same applies to goods that are the subject of a monopoly, for example, sugar sold 
by the private law company SUCAF-Gabon, cement sold by the private law company CIMGABON, and flour (weighing 1 kg) sold by the SMAG. 
3.62.  The Government may also take any measures needed to prevent excessive price increases 
in crisis situations or if the market is not operating normally. The regime is administered by the Directorate-General of Competition in  the Ministry responsible for the economy. 
Thus, the Ministry has recently introduced a series of regulatory acts aimed at establishing 
a "controlled pricing" regime for food crops and other local products, and for imported staple products. Under this regime, prices are subject to monthly approval, the DGCC being responsible 
for setting the price caps.
33 In addition, Provincial Price Committees have been set up to monitor 
price trends in their administrative areas and keep the DGCC informed.34 Moreover, the prices 
of transport services are fixed by the Government. 
3.3.3  State trading, State-owne d enterprises and privatization 
3.63.  Gabon has not notified the WTO of any State-trading enterprises within the meaning 
of Article XVII of the GATT.35 However, the State hold shares in a number of enterprises operating 
in all sectors of the economy (Table 3.2); some of them enjoy monopolies or exclusive rights, 
as do certain private enterprises. 
                                               
32 Decree No. 000665/PR/MEFBP of 9 August 2004 co ncerning the establishment, functions and 
organization of the DGCC. 
33 Orders Nos. 0138 and 0139/MEEDD/CABMIN/DGCC of 14 August 2012. 
34 Order No. 0140/MEEDD/CABMIN/DGCC of 14 August 2012. 
35 WTO document G/STR/9 of 2 November 2012. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table 3.2 State holdings in the capital of companies, 2013  
Sector of activity Enterprise Percentage of 
equity 
shares owned 
by 
the State Total State equity 
shares 
(in local currency) 
Agriculture/livestock SMAG 34.00 510,000,000 
Timber CFA 1.00 50,000 
 EGG 0.60 .. 
 ROUGIER GABON 1.23 14,790,688,5 
 SBL 1.00 4,000,000 
 SEFO 1.00 2,000,000 
 SNBG 51.00 2,040,000,000 
 THANRY CEB 4.10 63,037,500 
Mining COMILOG 25.00 10,202,898,125 
Hydrocarbons MOBIL OIL 10.00 54,650,000 
 TOTAL GABON 25.00 10,710,000,000 
 TOTAL MARKETING 10.00 26,500,000 
 SGEPP 25.00 225,000,000 
 SOGARA 25.00 300,000,000 
 PIZOLUB 52.83 464,338,000 
 SHELL GABON 25.00 3,750,000,000 
 FORAID GABON 10.00 1,000,000 
 PIZO SHELL 10.00 187,500,000 
Automobiles CFAO GABON 2.00 42,801,800 
 TECHNOTO 10.00 .. 
Transport ADL 26.50 540,600,000 
 DHL 10.00 1,000,000 
 HELI GABON 10.00 3,000,000 
 SAM GABON 10.00 40,000,000 
 SNAT 51.00 306,000,000 
 SETRAG special share .. 
 ASECNA NATIONALE 100.00 .. 
 Gabon FRET 40.00 .. 
 OPRAG 100.00 .. 
 CNI 100.00 5,000,000 
 PSM 100.00 10,000,000 
 SDV 3.00 135,450,000 
Public works COLAS GABON 10.00 8,100,000 
 DRAGAGES 10.00 122,500,000 
 SOBEA GABON 10.00 5,000,000 
 SITRAM 10.00 10,000,000 
 SNGE 30.00 15,000,000 
Trade/industry/services GABOSEP 10.00 2,000,000 
 GABON MECA 10.00 40,000,000 
 PHARMACIE LES 
FORESTIERS 10.00 12,000,000 
 SRMG 10.00 1,000,000 
 CHIMIE GABON 10.00 15,100,000 
 COGIMEX 9.64 1,600,240 
 GPL 30.00 118,800,000 
 NESTLE GABON 10.00 34,400,000 
 (SUCAF) 53.81 .. 
 (SIAT) 93.70 .. 
 SMAG 34 .. 
 SIFRIGAB 99.75 .. 
 SIFRIGAB Pêche 49.00 .. 
 SOCIGA 10.00 33,500,000 
 SOVINGAB 10.00 5,000,000 
 SOGAMAR 10.00 2,000,000 
 BERNABE GABON 10.00 100,000,000 
 DAVUM GABON 6.45 14,190,000 
 MATERIAUX DU GABON 20.00 44,000,000 
 MIAG SA 10.00 6,000,000 
 CIM BATON 25.00 4,750,000,000 
 LBTPG 100.00 .. 
 CECA-GADIS 9.10 79,873,885 WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Sector of activity Enterprise Percentage of 
equity 
shares owned 
by 
the State Total State equity 
shares 
(in local currency) 
Commercial banks BGFI 8.00 2,005,230,080 
 BICIG 26.35 362,000,000 
 UGB 26.90 1,990,600,000 
Development banks BGD 69.01 17,390,520,000 
Insurance companies AXA GABON 7.97 43,041,985 
 GRAS SAVOYE 7.30 6,664,900 
 OGAR 8.52 78,384,000 
Other finance companies  ALIOS Finance 12.17 132,691,944 
Post and telecommunications GABON TELECOM 49.00 .. 
 LA POSTE 100.00 .. 
Social services CNSS 100.00 .. 
 CNGS 100.00 .. 
Other AFRICA No1 35.00 .. 
 GABON INFO 73.59 .. 
 SONAPRESS 73.00 .. 
 SNI 70.14 876,750,000 
Note: Excludes real estate and State infrastru cture that is the subject of a concession. 
.. Not available. Source: Gabonese authorities. 
3.64.  In addition, there are still some monopolies held by private law companies in Gabon. 
The private law Gabon Energy and Water Company (SEEG) holds a monopoly within its concession 
areas (namely the capital and urban centres) on the transport, distribution, import and export 
of electricity (the production of electricity has been liberalized), and on the production, transport and distribution of water (Chapter 4.3 and 4.4) . The authorities have indicated that a process 
of calling for expressions of interest was launched in 2012, in order to bring 
Gabon Télécom's monopoly on the supply of basic telecommunications services to an end. 
3.65.  Other monopolies are still in existence, especially in the areas of petroleum refining 
and imports of petroleum products (SOGARA); the production of beer and aerated beverages 
(SOBRAGA); importing wheat and producing flour (SMAG); the production of edible oils, as well as the import and marketing of edible oils of non-CEMAC origin (SIAT GABON); the production 
and marketing of sugar in Gabon (SUCAF-Gabon ); and the marketing of cement (CIMGABON). 
In addition, the private law company EAULECO has a de facto monopoly on mineral water production in Gabon. 
3.66.  The institutional framework for the privatiz ation of Gabon's State-owned enterprises is still 
based on Law No. 1/96 of 13 February 1996. In principle, the Government lays down 
a privatization programme each year, in a decree by the Council of Ministers which is appended to the Finance Law, listing the State-owned enterp rises to be privatized and setting out the 
implementing arrangements. An Interministerial Privatization Commission and a Privatization 
Committee are responsible for the execution of the programme. In addition to the tasks assigned 
to it under Law No. 1/96, in 2009 the Privatization Committee was charged with periodically 
reviewing the accounting and financial situation of enterprises in the semi-State sector.
36 
                                               
36 Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Tourism, Decision No. 0958 of 29 March 2010. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table 3.3  List of enterprises privatized/ undergoing privatization since 2006 
Enterprise Year privatized Date set up  State's share 
pre-
privatization Mode of 
privatization Share sold to 
main investor 
Companies      
SMAG In progress 1968 39% Sale of shares 29.13%  
Air Gabon 2006 1978  80% Liquidation 100%  
AGRIPOG In progress 1976 55% Sale of assets  
SNAT In progress 1976  51% In progress 80%  
SOGATRA In progress 1997  Restructuring  
SNBG In progress -  51% Restructuring  
SGEPP Withdrawn - 25%   
SNI Withdrawn -  77%   
SOGARA To be scheduled  25%   
BGD To be scheduled  69%   
SONAPRESSE To be scheduled  73%   
 Public institutions of an industrial and commercial nature   
CNI In progress   Restructuring  
LBTPG To be scheduled     
OGAPROV To be scheduled     
PROMOGABON To be scheduled     
Gabon/Poste 2006/creation 2001  Liquidation  
Gabon Télécom 2007 2001   Sale of assets 51%  
Source: Gabonese authorities, Privatization Committee. 
3.67.  In general, privatizations are carried out by sale of shares, share exchange, 
merger-demerger, or any system of asset securiti zation. They may also take the following forms: 
management mandate (lease-management contract), concession (leasing), or dissolution (liquidation). The regulations in force provide that  where privatization takes the form of a transfer 
of ownership, some stock must be reserved for Gabonese holders, and especially for employees 
of the enterprises which have been privatized. 
3.68.  The main privatizations which have taken place in Gabon in recent years were in the areas 
of water and electricity (SEEG); post and te lecommunications (Gabon Télécom); transport 
(OPRAG, Air Gabon, SETRAG (formerly OCTRA)); agriculture (AGROGABON); and industry, trade and services (Ciments du Gabon, CFG).
37 
3.3.4  Government procurement 
3.69.  Gabon's government procurement regime has evolved considerably since the last TPR, 
with the adoption in 2012 of a new Government Procurement Code.38 The main advances 
in the new Code include a stronger control system, more systematic emphasis on the free play of 
competition, and the establishment of a regulatory body. 
3.70.  The Code applies mainly to purchases by the State, local authorities, public institutions, 
State bodies whose resources come from government funds (with the exception of the Ministry 
of Defence), and enterprises in which the State has a majority financial stake, provided that 
the contract amount is equal to or greater than the thresholds fixed by the law. The threshold applicable depends on the beneficiary of the purchase and the nature of the contract. 
3.71.  For procurement by the State, public institutions and State-owned companies, 
the thresholds are: CFAF 35 million for works; CFAF 20 million for supplies; and CFAF 15 million 
for services and intellectual services. For procurement by local authorities and local public institutions, the thresholds for the same operations are, respectively, CFAF 20 million, 
CFAF 10 million and CFAF 5 million. The new legal framework for government procurement 
prohibits, inter alia , collusion among bidders and the splitting of contracts. 
                                               
37 Privatization Committee (2012). 
38 Decree No. 0254/PR/MEEDD of 19 June 2012. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  3.72.  The new Government Procurement Code makes a distinction between the awarding, 
controlling and regulatory bodies. The person responsible for the procurement 
(designated by the representative of the co ntracting body), assisted by a commission 
for the assessment of bids, conducts the procedure for the award of the contract 
up to the designation of the successful bi dder and the final approval of the award. 
3.73.  Where control is concerned, the Directorate-General of Government Procurement (DGMP) 
is responsible for controlling the award and pe rformance of procurement contracts; the Award 
of Contracts Unit examines all contract award operations from the planning phase to the award 
of the contract; and, subject to authorization from the Director General of Government Procurement, Provincial Procurement Delegations control the procedures for awarding contracts 
within the limits of their territorial competence. 
3.74.  The Government Procurement Regulatory Agency (ARMP) is responsible for regulating 
the government procurement framework. Its remit includes: independent technical audit and the penalizing of any irregularities uncover ed; non-judicial settlement of disputes arising 
out of the contract award procedures; and participation in the framing of laws and regulations 
on government procurement. 
3.75.  Under the legal framework in force until 2012, the DGMP was responsible for ensuring 
compliance with the regulations and, if necessary, for supplementing them.
39 T o  t h a t  e n d ,  
the DGMP was responsible for creating a database on the methods for awarding procurement contracts, and controlling procurement of over CFAF 30 million and under CFAF 500 million. The DGMP also settled disputes. The National Government Procurement Commission (CNMP) 
was responsible for approving government procurement exceeding CFAF 500 million.
40 
3.76.  In principle, procurement contracts are awarded through an open invitation to tender. 
However, the contracting authority may exceptionally use one of the alternative methods 
of invitation to tender, under legally specified conditions. 
3.77.  Thus, the open invitation to tender may be preceded by prequalification in the case of major 
works, complex equipment or specialized services, or highly complex contracts which are 
to be awarded on the basis of performance criter ia rather than detailed technical specifications. 
Where a design service is to be delivered (are a planning, town planning, architecture, etc.), 
the invitation to tender may take the form of a contest. 
3.78.  A selective invitation to tender may be issued by the contracting authority, only in cases 
where there is a limited number of suppliers able to execute the contract because of its nature. 
In this eventuality, all candidates with the necessary expertise and qualifications must be invited to tender. 
3.79.  Procurement contracts may exceptionally be awarded under the direct negotiation or private 
agreement procedure (without invitation to tender ), subject to special authorization by the DGMP 
and in certain specified circumstances, relating, inter alia , to the expertise of the provider, 
intellectual property rights issues, and military secrecy. 
3.80.  Notices of invitation to tender, together with any decision to award a contract 
(following validation of the outcome by the DGMP), must be published in the Government 
Procurement Journal (or any other national or international publication). They may also 
be published online, on a dedicated government procurement website.
41 
3.81.  The new Code provides for the possibili ty of national and Community preferences. 
In the case of procurement by invitation to tend er or direct negotiation, priority is given, 
when bids are equivalent, to enterprises which have one of the following statuses: incorporated 
under Gabonese law; engaged in economic activity on Gabonese territory; an SME whose share capital is owned wholly by Gabonese nationals or persons incorporated under Gabonese law; 
a group of companies with which Gabonese enterprises are associated or which provides 
                                               
39 Decree No. 1102/PR/MEFBP of 4 October 2003. 
40 Decree No. 1044/PR/MEFBP of 1 October 2003. 
41 Online information on government procurement.  Viewed at: http://www.marchespublics.gouv.ga. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  considerable subcontracting to Gabonese national s. There is a 10% national preference margin 
for works contracts, and a 15% preference margin for supplies contracts. 
3.82.  In the regional context, Community preference may be granted to any bidder whose fiscal 
residence is within CEMAC, where, in the case of  suppliers, manufactured goods containing at least 
30% of value added in a CEMAC country will be su pplied; in the case of building, public works 
and industrial facilities contractors, at least 30%  of the inputs or 30% of the personnel employed 
are of Community origin; and in the case of service providers and consultants, at least 50% 
of the value of the service supplied is of Community origin. 
3.83.  Disputes concerning government procurement may be brought before the person 
responsible for the procurement or the Govern ment Procurement Regulatory Agency. Bidders 
who believe they have been treated unfairly may lodge a complaint within 5 working days 
following the date of publication of the award de cision, or within 10 days prior to the date set 
for the submission of tenders. The decisions of the ARMP may be appealed before the competent 
administrative court. 
3.84.  Gabon is neither a party nor an observer to the WTO Plurilateral Agreement 
on Government Procurement. 
3.3.5  Protection of intellectual property rights 
3.85.  Gabon is a member of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), set up by the 
Bangui Agreement. Accordingly, Gabon's intell ectual property rights regulations are based 
on the relevant provisions of the Agreement (co mmon report, Chapter 3). The Industrial Property 
Centre of Gabon (CEPIG) (within the Ministry responsible for industry) acts as the national 
structure for liaison (SNL) with the OAPI.42 The administrative procedure for registering industrial 
property rights commences with the filing of an application, which must be submitted to CEPIG. 
3.86.  Where copyright and related rights are concer ned, Gabon has national legislation in addition 
to the revised Bangui Agreement (1977).43 Decree No. 00452/PR lays down the general 
regulations on the administration of copyright and related rights, and Decree No. 453/PR fixes the amount of the corresponding royalties. 
3.87.  Although its primary mission is the prom otion of cultural works, the National Agency 
for Promotion of the Arts and Culture (ANPAC) has traditionally been responsible for administering and protecting copyright and related rights. The authorites have stated that ANPAC has never had the means to discharge this copyright protecti on role. Consequently, the Gabonese Copyright 
and Related Rights Office (BUGADA) was set up in  2012 to overcome the shortcomings of ANPAC. 
Apparently, regulations are being drawn up with a view to making the Office operational. 
3.88.  According to the authorities, trademarks and trade names are the categories of intellectual 
property rights that are frequently violated. 
3.89.  Counterfeiting affects, in particular, the foodstuffs area (primarily beverages), 
tobacco, household appliances, mobile telephones, batteries, automobile parts, pharmaceutical 
products, luxury goods and clothing. Within the Customs Directorate, the customs research 
and intelligence service, which is part of the customs enforcement and litigation department, is responsible for punishing intellectual property rights violations. It acts at the request of the right holders.
44 
3.90.  The sanctions in the event of IPR violations are those provided for by the 
Bangui Agreement. However, they are almost never applied. 
                                               
42 Law No. 14/2002 of 28 January 2003. 
43 Law No. 1/87 of 29 July 1987. 
44 African Industrial Association (2008). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4  TRADE POLICY BY SECTOR 
4.1  Agriculture and related activities 4.1.1  Overview 4.1.  Agriculture is of vital importance for employment in Gabon (Chapter 1.1). 
Approximately 80% of the total area of the country is equatorial forest (half of which is in the 
primary state), and 1.1% is used for agricultural purposes. Gabon has natural resources and weather conditions which are favourable for agriculture. Rainfall is abundant and the hydrographic 
network, fed by the rivers Ogooué and Nyanga, is widespread and dense. The forests of 
around 22 million hectares, whose reserves of standing timber are estimated at 400 million m
3, 
consist of some 60 species, mainly okoumé and ozigo. Gabon also has significant potential for fisheries production. Its sea coast is 800 km long, and its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) 
extends over 231,000 km², around 8% of which is reserved for offshore oil recovery activities. 
4.2.  There are still a great many small farms in Gabon. They are unprofitable because they 
are small (on average 1.1 hectares) and use rudime ntary production methods. Agriculture is still 
beset by structural weaknesses, related in particular to the use of inappropriate agricultural 
techniques; the high cost of production factors, including access to credit; the poor state of the road network; and the shortcomings of the support services. Legally, the State owns 
the land
45, but the customary regime of land ownership is observed in the rural areas, and this 
prevents the establishment of an official land market. The authorities have indicated that an Interministerial Commission has been set up to decide on the process for land allocation. 
4.3.  Overall, domestic agricultural produc tion fails to cover national requirements 
and is supplemented by imports, which account fo r around 60% of the food products consumed 
in Gabon. 
4.1.2  Agricultural policy 
4.4.  The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for formulating agriculture and livestock 
development programmes, in cooperation with farmers' organizations and development partners. The legislative and regulatory framework for agricult ural policies is characterized by the adoption 
of various laws and regulations, with no harmonization and no evaluation mechanism. 
4.5.  In 2012, Gabon launched the first phase of its NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture 
Development Programme (CAADP). A timetable running from November 2012 to July 2013 has been adopted, the interim objective bein g the signing of a national CAADP pact and 
the adoption of a roadmap; these will provide a consensual framework for resource mobilization. 
4.6.  The Master Plan for Agricultural Development (PDDA), adopted in 2005, establishes 
a programme for the period 2006-2015, the aim of which is a 45% increase in agricultural 
production by 2015. The PDDA gives priority to increasing agricultural production in peri-urban 
areas and boosting village agriculture, livestoc k breeding, fisheries and the coffee-cocoa sector. 
Under the Plan, a draft law on agricultural development and an Agricultural Investment Code were 
submitted for parliamentary approval in 2005. In addition, an Agricultural and Rural Development 
Fund was envisaged to underpin this regulatory framework. 
4.7.  In 2008, Gabon adopted its Sustainable Agricultural Development Policy with the objective, 
in particular, of galvanizing this sector to make it a key driver for the growth of national wealth 
and for job creation.
46 Other aims of the policy are the achi evement of self-sufficiency in food, 
the diversification of exports, and a one-quarte r reduction in imports by 2016. In the context 
of the agricultural policy, the Government's efforts are directed specifically at offering young 
people greater incentives to set up agricultural enterprises in rural areas. Under the Departmental 
Land Management Contract (CDE), any natural or legal person who routinely engages in agricultural activities is required to de clare them to the competent services in the 
Ministry of Agriculture, with a view to obtain ing a registration number. Having a registration 
                                               
45 Law No. 14/63 of 8 May 1963. 
46 Law No. 23/2008 of 10 December 2008 on the agricultural development policy. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  number listed in the agricultural register confers an entitlement to social protection and vocational 
training. A Departmental Commission on Land Use Planning is responsible, inter alia , for valuing 
the land and agricultural yields on which land po licy, fiscal policy and social policy are based. The 
CDE is not yet operational. However, farmer census operations are scheduled to take place in 
2013, with a view to the allocation of registration numbers. 
4.8.  In general, under the Law establishing the agricultural development policy, priority 
for State assistance is granted to farm groups organized by agricultural subsector, 
associations and professional organizations. In addition, farmers in agricultural regions which 
are recognized as underprivileged receive special support. Start-up capital grants are provided for by the Law, to encourage young people and women to take up farming. However, the procedures for allocating State assistance to farmers have not yet been clearly defined. 
4.9.  Waivers and duty and tax exemptions are gr anted, at importation and for purchases on the 
domestic market, on a list of agricultural equipm ent and inputs laid down by Ministerial Order. 
4.10.  The agricultural policy places vocational tr aining at the heart of agricultural development. 
To this end, it provides for a coordination framework involving the Ministries responsible 
for agriculture, national education, and technical and vocational education. A framework for ongoing vocational training is intended to ensure greater expertise among farmers in rural 
areas, as well as that of enterprises in the agriculture sector. 
4.11.  Although the agricultural policy recognizes  the importance of agricultural and veterinary 
research, it contains no concrete provisions for its development. There are three research establishments in Gabon, namely: the Agricultural and Forestry Research Institute (IRAF); 
the National Higher Institute of Agriculture and Biotechnology (INSAB); and the Office 
for Research into the Introduction, Adaptation and Propagation of Plant Material (ORIAM). 
4.12.  The Law on the agricultural development policy provides for the establishment of a fund 
to finance the main activities. No date has been given for this. 
4.13.  The Tax Code includes support measures for farmers. These include exemption from 
corporation tax for cooperatives and cooperative unions engaged in the production, processing, 
conservation and sale of agricultural products; exemption, for the first two years, from corporation 
tax and personal income tax, and an allowance against those taxes over the next four years, for new agricultural enterprises, excluding the fo restry sector and fisheries; and exemption from 
the business licence fee ( patente ) for farmers/breeders, hunters, and fishermen, including those 
using dugout canoes. Some private agri-food enterprises still benefit from production or marketing 
monopolies, as well as from various concessions under their fiscal and customs agreements. A more attractive depreciation system for agricultural equipment is also envisaged. 
4.14.  Based on the ISIC definition, the simple  average customs duty applied to agricultural 
products (including livestock, fisheries and forestry activities) is 23.6% (under the CEMAC's CET), which is significantly higher th an the overall average of 18.1%. 
4.15.  Agricultural products, including foodstuffs, are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures, with the possibility of bans being imposed on imports (Chapter 3). 
4.1.3  Policy by subsector 4.1.3.1  Coffee and cocoa 
4.16.  Since 2009, Gabon has been pursuing a policy of revitalizing the coffee and cocoa subsector 
by upgrading small family farms. 
4.17.  In 2009, Gabon was producing around 300 tonnes of coffee and cocoa per year, 
exported mainly to the European Union and the United States. According to the authorities, 
the policy of rehabilitating plantations should drive this output up to 2,500 tonnes per year 
in 2012/2013, with steady growth thereafter . The area currently under cultivation is 
around 1,000 hectares (700 hectares of reno vated plantations and 300 hectares of new WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  plantations). There are two coffee research centres in Gabon (in the towns of Okondja 
and Mikong). 
4.18.  The Directorate-General of the Gabonese Stabilization and Equalization Fund (DGCSP), 
under the Ministry of Finance, is responsible fo r the implementation of coffee and cocoa financing 
policies. Small-scale farmers are organized in cooperatives supervised by the decentralized 
services of the DGCSP. The Stabilization and Equalization Fund (CAISTAB) holds a monopoly on the marketing of coffee and cocoa, which it alon e is authorized to purchase from the farmers. 
In 2013, the guaranteed price paid to farmers for one kilogram was CFAF 1,000. The Ministry 
of Agriculture provides technical support (seeds, inputs, phytosanitary treatments, etc.) for small-scale farmers. According to the author ities, State subsidies for the period 2007-2013 
have amounted to CFAF 1.3 billion. 
4.19.  Imports of coffee, other than coffee seed, are subject to a tariff rate of 30%. 
4.20.  Gabon is a member of the International Coffee Organization (ICO). 4.1.3.2  Market garden produce 
4.21.  Agricultural output is derived mainly fr om peri-urban market gardening. The Gabonese 
Institute for Development Support (IGAD) is developing it by promoting an agricultural network of peri-urban smallholdings, as well as intensive farming methods. Market garden produce output 
rose from 3,613 tonnes in 2008 to 4,773 tonnes in 2011. 
4.22.  The IGAD is responsible for managing the land allocated by the State and supporting 
the farmers/breeders who work it. Its activities are financed by the State. The IGAD provides 
farmers who have signed agreements with technical support (seed, inputs, phytosanitary 
treatments, agricultural equipment and training), to gether with training in marketing and a market 
intelligence system. 
4.23.  As part of the "Green Gabon" pillar of the national development plan, the IGAD 
is implementing the Agricultural Development and Investment Project (PRODIAG). The project will 
operate primarily in the food crop, market gardening, small-scale livestock breeding and agri-foods processing sectors, through a substantial increase in investment. It provides for the establishment 
of 1,090 production units which should generate a turnover of around CFAF 3.5 billion per year, 
with 3,000 jobs created. 
4.24.  Under the CET, Gabonese fruit and vegetable production benefits from the maximum tariff 
protection of 30%, except for seeds. Moreover, VAT at 18% is applied to imported fruit 
and vegetables, whereas those produced locally (e.g. by AGRIPOG) are exempt (Table 3.2). 
4.1.4  Fishing and aquaculture 4.25.  Responsibility for the fisheries subsecto r lies with the Directorate-General of Fisheries 
and Aquaculture (DGPA). As part of its remit, the DGPA is responsible for the monitoring, 
control and surveillance (MCS) of fisheries. It al so deals with the sanitary control of fisheries 
products (Chapter 3.1). For MCS purposes, the DGPA has acquired a satellite monitoring system. 
However, it relies heavily on collaboration with se ctors that have better monitoring tools available 
to them (the national defence services, for example). 
4.26.  Fishing and fish-farming are still regulated by the Code adopted in 2005.
47 The Code 
incorporates the objective of sustainable management of the resources concerned. To fish it is 
necessary to obtain a licence, costing US$800 for foreign-registered vessels. In addition, 
enterprises that handle fisheries products must obtain technical approval from the Directorate-General of Fisheries. 
                                               
47 Law No. 15/2005 of 8 August 2005. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.27.  Foreign vessels may fish in Gabon's EEZ under bilateral agreement, or if chartered 
by Gabonese nationals. The Code provides for th e imposition of duties, taxes and various fees; 
their levels are fixed by the Finance Laws. Investment in the fisheries subsector is governed by the National Investment Charter. 
4.28.  Fisheries activities in Gabon are conducte d by a small-scale fleet and an industrial fleet, 
and include both sea and inland fishing. The small-scale fleet fishing in Gabon's maritime waters consisted of around 1,600 dugout canoes in 2005. Using nets and fishing gear with hooks, the fleet 
fishes mainly for small pelagic coastal species and demersal species. In 2009, around 90 vessels, 
of which 16 were Gabonese-registered, were engaged in industrial fishing. Most of these vessels were operating under the fisheries agreement with  the European Union (36 vessels, mainly French, 
Portuguese and Spanish) and the fisheries agreement with Japan (15 vessels). 
4.29.  Deep-sea fishing, involving the exploitation of tuna resources, is practised in the EEZ under 
bilateral agreements with the European Union and Japan. The last fisheries partnership agreement 
concluded between Gabon and the EU covered the period from 3 December 2005 
to 2 December 2011. It allowed 24 freezer tuna seiners and 16 surface longliners to fish 
in Gabonese waters, subject to a fishing licence issued by the authorities
48 against payment. 
The financial contribution was €860,000 a year, of which €715,000 was earmarked 
for the Gabonese State budget and €145,000 went to support fisheries policy in Gabon. 
This payment was for annual catches of no more than 11,000 tonnes. If that figure was exceeded, 
the financial contribution increased by €65 per tonne. Following a decision by the authorities to define more environmentally friendly bases of negotiation in the framework of the "Blue Gabon" 
strategy, no agreement was signed in 2012. A new agreement is being negotiated, and it is 
expected to be signed in 2013. 
4.30.  Inland fishing is exclusively small-scale and involves around 1,800, mostly non-motorized, 
dugout canoes. In 2009, inland fishing produced around 10,480 tonnes of tilapia. 
4.31.  The agreement between Gabon and the Japanese Federation of Tuna-Fishing Cooperative 
Associations, signed in 2000, expired in 2012. It authorizes 30 Japanese longliners to fish 
in Gabonese waters, and provides material support for fisheries development in Gabon 
in an amount of CFAF 8 billion a year. Gabonese exports of fisheries products consist of crustaceans, molluscs and fish, shipped froz en. These exports are subject to the sanitary 
regulations of the country of destination (C hapter 3.2.7). The main markets are China, 
the European Union and the countries of the subregion. 
4.32.  The main obstacle to the development of fisheries in Gabon, in addition to the limited 
appeal of Gabonese registration for foreign vessels, is the high level of taxation (customs duties 
and VAT), averaging 23.2% with rates rangin g from 20% to 30%. This tariff structure 
is not encouraging efforts to improve competitiveness in the subsector, including substantial investment in the renewal of industrial fishing equipment and the motorization of dugout canoes. 
4.33.  In a bid to ensure the sustainable use of resources, Gabon has banned fishing in river 
mouths and marine parks. In addition, the use of certain types of fishing gear which are not very 
selective is prohibited. Fishing for prawn and bonga shad ( ethmalosa fimbriata ) is suspended 
for three months of each year. 
4.1.5  Forestry 
4.34.  Logging is the key subsector of Gabonese agriculture. It is the largest private-sector 
employer, absorbing 28% of the workforce (around 13,000 direct and indirect jobs), 
and the second largest source of export earnings. 
4.35.  State-owned forests cover 22.3 million hectares, of which 13 million were assigned 
to production in 2011 (including 7.6 million hectares under concession). 
                                               
48 Council Decision 2006/788/EC of 7 November 2006. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.36.   All log exports have been banned since 1 January 2010, in order to foster domestic value 
added in this subsector. The authorities have indicated that the number of processing units 
has increased as a result of this measure, rising from 81 in 2009 to 114 in 2012. 
4.37.  Wood exports increased by 39.2% between 2010 (480,524 m3) and 2011 (668,916 m3). 
Since 2011, China has been the largest export market for Gabonese wood with an estimated 
volume of 171,048 m3, overtaking France which imported 143,268 m3 of wood from Gabon 
in 2011. In continental terms, however, Europe is still the top destination for Gabon's wood 
exports, with 43% of the total compared to 30.8% for Asia; the share of the African continent 
(especially Morocco and South Africa) was estimated at 11.25% in 2011. 
4.38.  The 2001 Forestry Code is the main instrument for the regulation of forestry in Gabon. It is 
implemented by the Ministry responsible for fore sts. The Code establishes as its objective the 
sustainable management of water resources and forests, fauna and flora; Gabon is a party to the 
Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Manage ment of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa. 
4.39.  Under the Forestry Code, there are three ty pes of industrial logging permit, two of which 
are strictly reserved for Gabonese nationals. These are: the mutual agreement permit (PGG), 
with an annual logging limit of 50 trees, and the associated forestry permit (PFA), which covers a maximum area of 15,000 hectares. The third type of permit, the sustainable forest concession 
(CFAD), is a concession granted for large areas of forest (50,000 to 200,000 hectares), 
generally logged by foreign enterprises. The CFAD involves obligations in respect of forest management and local processing. 
4.40.  Since 2010, the Government has been introducing accompanying measures to support 
operators in the wood subsector. In addition to  the proposal to set up Special Economic Zones 
(SEZ), Law No. 4/2010 of 9 February 2010 established a National Forest Fund (FFN).
49 It finances 
operations aimed, inter alia , at forest regeneration, the promotion of the wood industry 
and the protection and conservation of fauna. According to the authorities, a CFAF 20 billion 
support fund has been set up under the FFN to expe dite the industrialization of the wood subector. 
4.41.  The felling tax varies with the production zone (A, B, C or D). The tax is 9% in zone A, 
7% in zone B, 5% in zone C and 3% in zone D. The felling tax base is the value of the logs, 
determined with reference to the volume of timber felled and its official value on the date of felling. There is a felling tax rebate of 60% for locally processed logs, whereas a rebate of 15% applies to logs that are exported. The holders of  logging permits other than the mutual agreement 
permit are also subject to an area tax of: CFAF 600/ha for unmanaged concessions, CFAF 300/ha 
for managed concessions (CFAD) and CFAF 200/ha for managed concessions temporarily closed to logging. At the end of the fifteenth year, the rate of CFAF 200 increases to CFAF 300. 
Since October 2011, logs entering the economic zones have been subject to a felling tax of 3% 
of the official value, whereas processed products ar e subject to a felling tax of 1.5% of the f.o.b. 
value. An annual area tax of CFAF 400/ha is also levied. 
4.2  Mining, energy and water 
4.2.1  Mining products 4.42.  There have been no changes to the regulatory framework for this sector during the review 
period. The authorities have indicated that the Mining Code is being revised. 
4.43.  Gabon is still the world's second largest producer of high-grade manganese ore 
(45% to 50% manganese content), thanks to the Moanda deposit exploited by the Ogooué Mining Company (COMILOG).
50 In 2012, COMILOG produced and exported more than 2 million tonnes 
of manganese. The Government has recently granted licences to explore other manganese 
deposits in Gabon (Ndjolé site). 
4.44.  Gabon also has large reserves of iron which have yet to be exploited, as well as deposits 
of phosphates and other minerals (gold, diamonds, lead, zinc, titanium, etc.). 
                                               
49 Ministry of Water Resources and Forests (2011). 
50 COMILOG is owned 67% by Eramet  Groupe and 25% by the State. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.45.  The Mining Code, administered by the Ministry responsible for mines, governs 
the prospecting, exploration, production, processing, transportation and marketing of viable mineral substances contained in the soil or subsoil (with the exception of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and groundwater); all resources cont ained in the soil or subsoil are the property 
of the State. The Code defines two categories of substances: those "subject to concession" 
(which fall under the mining regime), and those "not subject to concession" (which fall under the quarrying regime and include construction materials, for example). Substances subject 
to concession are eligible for an authorization to prospect in a given zone, 
granted for a non-renewable period of two years against payment of CFAF 500,000. There is also an exploration permit, granted for a period of three years at a cost of CFAF 1 million, renewable twice (CFAF 2 million for the first renewal and CFAF 4 million for the second); and a mining permit, 
available to holders of an exploration permit, granted for a period of ten years and renewable 
for as many further five-year periods as necessary (CFAF 15 million per renewal). In 2012, 34 enterprises of different nationalities were  engaged in the prospecting, exploration 
and production of mineral substances subject to concession.
51 
4.46.  Concessions are granted by presidential decree for a period of 25 years, renewable for one 
or more ten-year periods. The cost is CFAF 30 million for the first award, and CFAF 15 million 
for each renewal. In 2012 there were 54 valid mining authorizations and titles, covering a total 
area of 87,473 km2. 
4.47.  These mining titles give the holders the right to dispose freely of the minerals extracted. 
Each mining title is accompanied by a mining agreement concluded with the State which lays down 
the rights and obligations of the parties52, and establishes the rate of the proportional mining 
royalty (RMP) applied to the taxable value of th e substance mined. These agreements are usually 
the subject of a parliamentary adoption procedure. 
4.2.2  Petroleum products and natural gas 
4.48.  Oil has been the main source of Gabon's wealth since the 1960s (Chapter 1.1). Total Gabon 
(85,000 barrels/day) and Shell (50,000 barrels/day) are the main producers, with more than half 
of total production in 2008. Perenco is in third place with 47,000 barrels/day, followed 
by Marathon Oil, which produces 26,000 barrels /day, Vaalco with 15,000 barrels/day and Addax, 
which commenced production in 2004, with 6,000 barrels/day. 
4.49.  There has been no change in the regu latory framework for the oil industry since 
the previous Review. The new Petroleum Code, announced on many occasions, has still not 
been issued. 
4.50.  Law No. 14/82 of 24 January 1983, cont aining the regulations on the exploration 
and production of hydrocarbons, still governs explor ation and recovery activities relating to liquid 
or gaseous hydrocarbons contained in the soil or subsoil, including in the EEZ, these being the property of the State. This regime is administered, within the Ministry of Mines, 
Energy and Petroleum, by the Directorate-General of Hydrocarbons (DGH). 
4.51.  In Gabon, there are two main types of  agreement between the State and the companies 
concerned: concessions, for which the legal and fiscal provisions are contained in an establishment agreement (for mining and oil companies); and exploitation and production-sharing contracts 
(oil only), under which the company is entitled to an exclusive exploitation permit if a commercial 
discovery is made. 
4.52.  Under an establishment agreement, the comp any is required to pay a proportional mining 
royalty (RMP) of between 15% and 20%; fixed mini ng duties; a surface area fee in US dollars 
per km
2, which differs depending on whether a zone is under exploration or production; 
                                               
51 Ministry of Industry and Mines (2012). 
52 Article 35 of Law No. 5/2000 of 12 October 2000. These include, in particular, fiscal and customs 
measures such as: exemption from corporation tax and personal income tax, and from the flat-rate minimum 
tax, for the period of the agreemen t (initial period and renewal); reim bursement of VAT invoiced by local 
suppliers of goods and services; advances by the State for work performed or information compiled beforehand 
for the account of the compan y; and temporary admission of a list of imported supplies, ma terials, products, 
machinery, equipment and tools, exclusively intend ed for and actually allo cated to prospecting. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  76.5% corporation tax; a zero VAT rate at importation, and zero rate locally for an approved 
supplier; a reduced VAT rate of 5% for imports; and registration and stamp duties. It is also 
subject to parafiscal levies (training costs, Hydrocarbons Support Fund, DGH Capital Development Fund, Provision for Diversifed Investments and Provision for Investment in Hydrocarbons). 
4.53.  The company is required to set aside f unds to cover its asset retirement obligations. 
4.54.  There are currently four establishment agreements in force in Gabon, for oil companies 
(Total Gabon, Shell Gabon and Perenco) and for the COMILOG mining company. 
4.55.  Under an exploitation and production-shari ng contract (CEPP), the contractor is subject 
to the following obligations: payment of royaltie s of between 3% and 15%; payment of a surface 
area fee in US dollars per km
2; cost recovery cap of around 70%; VAT at the normal rate 
(reduced rate of 5% for imports); parafiscal levies (training costs, Hydrocarbons Support Fund, 
DGH Capital Development Fund); production shar ing (on average, 55% for the State and 45% 
for the contractor). 
4.56.  As at 5 January 2009, there were 23 companies with a CEPP in the exploration phase, 
and seven companies (CNR, Total Gabon, Shell Gabon, Vaalco, Marathon, Addax, 
and Maurel & Prom) with, between them, 22 contracts in the production phase. 
4.57.   The CEPP leads to the issuing of two types of exclusive permit, one for exploration 
and the other for production, each for a total of 20 years including renewals. Since 2012, the State 
has entrusted its share of production to the Gabon Oil Company (GOC), which markets it and hands back the sales revenue. 
4.58.  Gabon has a refinery, SOGARA, which is located in Port-Gentil, and five oil storage depots: 
OILYBIA (in Port-Gentil), SGEPP (in Owendo), OILYBIA (in Ndjolé), TOTAL (in Lambaréné) 
and SGEPP (in Moanda). Products are transferred from the refinery to the depots by various means: pipeline between SOGARA and the OILYBI A depot (both of which are in Port-Gentil), 
tanker between SOGARA and the SGEPP depot in  Owendo, barge between OILYBIA Port Gentil 
and OILYBIA Ndjolé, as well as for the TOTAL depot in Lambaréné, and rail between SGEPP Owendo and SGEPP Moanda. Delivery to the en d user (for consumption) is generally 
by road tanker. 
4.59.  The Gabonese Refining Company (SOGARA) has a monopoly on supplying the domestic 
market with refined petroleum products.
53 SOGARA refines Gabonese Mandji crude and sells 
its output to the countries of the subregion and on the domestic market. SOGARA buys 
on the international market to make up for its production deficit. The prices at which 
SOGARA's refined products are sold to domestic distributors are set by the Stabilization and Equalization Fund (CAISTAB). These prices were increased by 25% at the beginning 
of March 2007, after remaining unchanged since 2002. The approved distributors are Total 
Marketing Gabon, ENGEN, Oil Libya and Petro Gabon. 
4.60.  Only SOGARA may import petroleum products. These products are subject to customs duty 
at 10% and VAT at 18%. 
4.61.  Strategic stocks are managed by the Gabonese Petroleum Products Storage Company 
(SGEPP). In 2011 and 2012, the State's revenues from petroleum activities amounted to CFAF 987.8 billion and CFAF 1,085 billion, respectively. 
4.62.  In 2013, the Board of the Extractive Indu stries Transparency Initiative (EITI) removed 
Gabon from its list of members. 
4.3  Electricity and water 
4.63.  The Drinking Water and Electricity Sector Regulatory Agency (ARSEE) is responsible, 
inter alia , for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the laws and regulations governing 
                                               
53 The State has a 25% stake in SOGARA. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  drinking water and electricity. It awards concessions in the water and electricity sector 
and establishes frameworks for consultations between users and operators. 
4.64.  The National Water and Electricity Board finances rural electrification projects and water 
supply systems for rural localities, public lighting and public standpipes; it is funded by a water 
and electricity consumption tax levied on customers' bills. 
4.65.  The Gabon Energy and Water Company (SEEG ) still holds a monopoly on the distribution 
and delivery of drinking water and electricity in the concession areas (Libreville, Port-Gentil, 
Franceville and Gabon's other urban centres), in principle until 2017.54 
4.66.  Under the terms of the concession agreement, above 10 megawatts it is possible to issue 
an invitation to tender which would allow independent producers to generate electricity. However, this has never happened in practice . As shortcomings have been identified, 
there are plans for reforms which will allow other operators to participate in production; they will 
be required to sell their surpluses to the SE EG in the concession areas. Many forestry, 
mining or industrial enterprises generate their own electricity, and they are free to supply the rural 
communities (outside the limits of the SEEG concession). 
4.67.  In the Council of Ministers on 16 February 2011, the Government adopted a number 
of measures aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the concession agreement for the public 
water and electricity supply service in Gabon. Actions taken include the renewal of equipment over 
a five-year period, with the presentation of regular progress reports on the work, and improvement of the system for dealing with complaints. In this connection, an Interministerial Commission has been set up under the authority of the Minister with responsibility for energy, 
to monitor the implementation of these measures and recommendations. In principle, 
the Commission is to draw up annual reports on how well the concession agreement is operating. The authorities have indicated that the first such report was prepared in 2012. 
4.68.  An infrastructure fund was set up by Decree No. 0878/PR/MERH of 16 May 2011. The fund, 
placed under the administrative supervision of the Ministry responsible for energy and water resources, is used to finance major water and electricity infrastructure works. All of its resources 
come from public funds. 
4.69.  In 2010, the SEEG had 229,665 electricity customers as compared with 168,705 in 2005. 
The SEEG's 1.752 billion kilowatt hours of electricity come from hydroelectric (55%) and thermal (45%) sources. 
4.70.  Gabon's hydroelectric potential is estimate d to be between 5,000 and 6,000 MW. Once built, 
the Ivindo, Ngoulmendjim and Grand Poubara hydr oelectric dams should enable surplus energy 
to be exported to the subregion.
55 
4.71.  In 2010, the SEEG had 137,238 water customers, as compared with 104,323 in 2005. 
In 2010 the SEEG produced 81.8 million m3 of water, of which 23% was lost. In 2009, water 
distribution to the populations of Gabon's main municipalities was at the following levels: 
Libreville (72% of the population), Port-Gentil ( 51% of the population), and Franceville (53% of 
the population). The main municipalities have a few free standpipes, financed by a fund which 
derives its income from a surcharge levied on every m3 sold.56 
4.72.  The selling prices of electricity and water are fixed quarterly by the SEEG, for approval 
by the Ministry responsible for energy, in accordance with the formula contained 
in its establishment agreement. The selling prices are uniform within the SEEG concession area. Since 1 July 2007, the electricity and water bills of underprivileged segments of the population 
have been paid by the State. However, weaknesses in the control system have led to a net loss 
of more than CFAF 2 billion for the State. 
                                               
54 Decree No. 628/PR/MMEP of 18 June 1997. 
55 African Development Bank (2011). 
56 French Development Agency (2010). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.73.  The price structure includes a progressive charge which is proportional to consumption, 
and a special contribution (CFAF 5.93/kWh for electricity and CFAF 26.13/m3 for drinking water). 
The VAT rate is 18% on electricity consumption and 10% on water. 
4.4  Manufacturing sector 
4.74.  The position in the manufacturing sector  has not changed since the last TPR. According 
to the authorities, no industrial policy or master plan for the sector has been drawn up. The sector is dominated by monopolies and State-owned enterprises. However, as part of the "Industrial 
Gabon" pillar of the national development plan  ("Emerging Gabon"), the Government intends 
to develop an industrial code, organize a summit meeting on industry and set up a competitiveness observatory. 
4.75.  Manufacturing makes only a modest contribution to GDP (Table 1.1). It consists essentially 
of units engaged in agri-food, refining, wood  processing, cement and clinker production, 
aluminium sheet manufacturing and the production of various chemical products, as well as workshops making clothing and other small-scale activities. 
4.76.  The private law enterprise Sucaf-Gabon is still the only producer and seller of sugar 
on the Gabonese market. This enterprise is protected by an import prohibition on sugar. Following the takeover, Sucaf-Gabon carried out a major investment programme as a result 
of which sugar production increased to 25,206 tonnes in 2005. Surplus domestic production 
is exported to the neighbouring markets, i.e. Ca meroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Central African 
Republic under the CEMAC GPT, and Sao Tome and Principe. 
4.77.   At importation, there is a customs duty of 10% on clinker and 20% on cement; 
VAT on these products (whether imported or domestic) is at the reduced rate of 10%. 
Cigarettes are Gabon's main manufactured export. The Gabon Cigarette Company (SOCIGA) is the only domestic producer. Tobacco, the main input, is produced in Gabon but also imported; 
at importation, it is subject to a customs duty of 10% as a derogation from the CEMAC CET rate 
of 30%. It is also subject to VAT, as well as to the excise duty of 25% which is also levied on cigarettes. Cigarette sales on the national territory are part of the Gabonese Tobacco 
Administration's monopoly. 
4.78.  The beverage market is also supplied by two enterprises holding de facto production 
monopolies in their respective branches. This is the case, in particular, for the Gabon Beverages Company (SOBRAGA) which produces soft drinks and beers for the local market. Mineral water 
is also produced, under a de facto monopoly, by EAULECO. Mineral water, like carbonated 
and alcoholic beverages, is subject, at importation, to customs duty at 30%, VAT at 18% and excise duty at 32%. 
4.79.  Wood processing is carried out by around one hundred units specializing in four activities 
(sawing, veneering, plywood manufacturing and slicing), with a predominance of first stage processing activities which produce, in particular , beams, laths and planks. Of the processing units 
in this subsector, 81% are sawmills. There are three main units (Cora Wood, Rougier Gabon 
and GET) engaged in plywood manufacturing. 
4.80.  The simple average of the applied MFN tari ff rates (CEMAC CET) in the manufacturing sector 
(ISIC definition) is 17.8%, with a large number of manufactured products being subject 
to the maximum rate of 30%, as well as to other import duties and taxes. 
4.81.  In the manufacturing sector, subsidies are granted to SOGARA for oil refining, and the State 
provides tax and customs support for the creation  of new manufacturing enterprises, as well 
as for Gabonese SMEs/SMIs, within the general framework of the National Investment 
Charter (Chapter 3). WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.5  Services 
4.5.1  Transport 4.5.1.1  Waterway transport and port services 4.82.  For external trade, economic operators use foreign shipping lines (CMA-CGM 
and its subsidiary Delmas, Maersk, Alhers and OCL) which dock at Gabon's two main ports, 
Owendo and Port-Gentil; Môle is a port used for passenger and goods traffic from the countries of the subregion. Owendo chiefly provides the po rt services needed to export manganese ore. 
Port-Gentil, a deep-water port, is mainly used for crude oil exports and imports of consumer 
goods. The two main ports are involved in the ex port of forest products, which are also shipped 
from the harbours of Mayumba and Coco-Beach. 
4.83.   The authorities plan to promote Port-Gentil as an effective site for a Central African 
transhipment hub, a project also linked with the Mandji Island Free Zone project, implementation 
of which has not yet commenced. There are plans for a river port in Lambarené and in Libreville. 
4.84.  The Gabon Ports and Harbours Board (OPRAG) is the authority responsible for port 
management. In 2003 it sold its concession to manage the ports of Libreville-Owendo 
and Port-Gentil, for 25 years, to SIGEPRAG. Its activities are
 financed by a security tax paid 
by the economic operators for their goods. The other actors at the ports of Owendo and Port-Gentil 
are the National Lighterage and Transit Company (Bolloré group) for chartering; SDV Logistique 
Internationale  (Bolloré group) and the Maritime and Air Transport Consortium (GETMA) 
for handling; MAERSK for containers; and the Lighterage, Transport and Handling Company 
(SATRAM) for maritime transport. All consignments bound for Gabon must be accompanied 
by a cargo identification note (BIC) issued by the agent of the Gabonese Shippers' Council (CGC) 
in the country of origin, a requirement which also applies to cargoes of wood when they leave Gabon (Chapter 3); the CGC has concluded agreements which exempt oil and manganese from 
the BIC requirement. 
4.85.  Gabon implements the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. It is also 
a member of the Maritime Organization for West and Central Africa (MOWCA), which deals with 
the implementation of various international conventions relating to security (SOLAS) and marine 
pollution (MARPOL), as well as of the recent International Safety Management (ISM) Code and the Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). 
4.86.  Gabon has a 3,300 km-long river network and the rivers play a key role in transporting 
timber-laden rafts from the felling areas to the coast. River passenger transport is carried out by the Inland Navigation Company (CNI), a State-owned enterprise whose mission is to open 
up the hinterland; numerous owners of dugout canoes are also engaged in river transport. 
4.5.1.2  Land transport 4.87.  The only railway in Gabon is the Transgabonais, which provides an east-west link between 
Franceville in the interior of the country and Ow endo on the coast, used for shipping manganese 
ore and forest products from the areas in which they are exploited. It consists of a network 
of 22 stations spread out along a single track 800 km long. It also carries passengers. The infrastructure is owned by the State. Ra il transport services are provided by the 
Transgabonais Operating Company (SETRAG). The other operators are the Ogooué Mining 
Company and the Gabon National Timber Company, with their vehicles for transporting manganese and timber. 
4.88.  Road is the leading mode of transport in Gabon, accounting for 80% to 90% of passenger 
and goods transport. The road network consists of  9,170 km of roads, of which 936 km are paved, 
while 7,600 km are laterite. 
4.89.  The country's six highways link the main ci ties. In Libreville, surface transport is provided 
by State-owned enterprises and a number of othe r, private operators. Urban surface transport WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  fares are administered by the responsible ministry. International carriers may not engage 
in cabotage. 
4.5.1.3  Air transport 4.90.  There are 27 airports, three of which (Libreville, Port-Gentil and Franceville) 
are international. Domestic routes are operated by small private companies, whereas 
on international routes Gabon is served by a number of companies including Rwandair, Asky, Air France, Royal Air Maroc, CAMAIRCO, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa Airways, 
Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa. 
4.91.  The main instruments governing civil aviation in Gabon are Law No. 7/65 of 5 June 1965, 
at the national level, and the CEMAC Civil Aviation Code of 21 July 2000 and the Agreement on Air Transport between CEMAC Member States. Gabon is a signatory to the Yamoussoukro Decision 
(common report, Chapter 4). The presence of fore ign airlines on Gabonese territory and their 
traffic rights are governed by bilateral agreements  (in the case of airlines of non-CEMAC origin). 
Airlines offering domestic flights must be Gabonese, and must meet the eligibility criteria before 
they can be designated as such by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
57 They are not 
restricted with respect to flight frequency or schedules, but must respect the rules of fair competition with regard to fares (for example, no dumped prices). Gabon applies the "solidarity 
tax on plane tickets", at the rate of CFAF 1,350 per ticket sold in business and first class. 
4.92.  The number of movements of commercial aircraft has fallen steadily in recent years, 
dropping from 26,508 flights in 2008 to 21,965 in 2012. 
4.93.  Libreville Airport (25% State-owned) holds the concession to operate and manage that 
airport. It is remunerated on the basis of the number of flights and passengers and cargo volumes. 
Gabon Handling is responsible for airport hand ling services at Libreville, under a 20-year 
exclusivity agreement. Several other agencies are engaged in airport activities in Gabon, notably 
the regulatory agency ANAC, which issues licences to the airline companies; and Libreville Airport 
(ADL), which is responsible for managing the airport infrastructure. 
4.94.   Gabon is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 
and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 
4.5.2  Tourism 4.95.  The High Commission for Tourism, together with the Directorate-General of Tourism, 
is responsible for implementing the Government's tourism policy. Gabon's National Parks Agency 
(ANPN) is responsible for regulation, the development of land management plans and revenue 
management in the country's 13 national parks. 
4.96.  Tourism activities in Gabon are regulated by, inter alia , Law No. 15/98 of 23 July 1998 
establishing the Gabonese Investment Charter; Law No. 004/2000 ratifying Ordinance No. 002/PR 
of 12 February 2000 on the regime applicable to  tourism investment (with incentive measures 
for private-sector operators wishing to launch tourism-related activities); Decree No. 649/PR 
of 25 May 2001 regulating the entry into Gabon of tourists and businessmen; and Law 
No. 016/2001, Articles 209 to 219, on tourism activities in conservation areas. The authorities have indicated that a new Tourism Code is being drawn up. 
4.97.  Tourism is still in an embryonic phase of development in Gabon. Nevertheless, as part 
of the policy of economic diversification, efforts are being made to develop tourism activities. 
In addition to the fiscal and customs measures introduced to encourage large-scale hotel investments (Table 4.1)
58, government initiatives have been  taken in the framework of the 
                                               
57 Decree No. 865/PR/MTAC of 6 August 2003. 
58 Ordinance No. 02/2000 of 12 February 2000. In particular, exemption from corporation tax during the 
implementation of the project and the first eight years of operation; exemption from corporation tax on half 
the taxable profits for the next eight years; exemptio n from property tax on new buildings for ten years; 
exemption from business licence fees for the first five years of operatio n; a ten-year exemption from customs 
duties and import taxes on new equi pment, tools, capital goods, and means of transport used for tourism WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  comprehensive "Emerging Gabon" strategy. The targ et is 10,000 visitors in a five-year time-frame, 
and 250 hotel rooms built.59 The stated aim is to make tourism a tool for fighting poverty, 
fostering economic development in rural areas, and promoting the conservation and enhancement 
of the country's natural and cultural heritage. 
4.98.  Many development plans, for example th e Master Plan for Tourism Development (PDDT) 
and the Programme to Support the Development of Community-based Ecotourism (PADEC), are apparently in the process of being adopted. The subsector is still facing difficulties linked 
to the weakness of the hotel and transport infrastructure. A shortage of skilled labour 
(tourist guides in particular) further detracts from the country's attractiveness to tourists.
60 
Gabon has a hotel capacity of 2,707 rooms in 124 hotels. 
4.99.  Gabon offers opportunities for the development of tourism aimed at business travellers 
interested in the exploitation of its natural resources. There is also potential for leisure tourism 
and for ecotourism, thanks to the country's exce ptional fauna and flora. In order to protect 
the latter and promote the development of ecotourism in Gabon, in 2002 the State created 
a network of 13 national parks and conservation areas covering 11.5 million hectares (11.25% 
of the territory). In return for fiscal and customs incentives received, tourism enterprises and firms 
participating exclusively in an approved project should undertake to give priority to recruiting 
Gabonese workers and to comply with environmental protection standards. 
Box 4.1 Fiscal and customs incentives  for investment in tourism, 2013 
Conditions of approval: 
The construction and/or equipping of tourist accommodation, facilities on tourist sites, tourism promotion and 
transport facilities, facilities for the operation of pleasure craft, and extensions thereto. 
Fiscal and customs concessions for investments in excess of CFAF 800 million: 
 Exemption from corporation tax (IS) or personal inco me tax during the period of construction of the 
project and the eight years of operation following  completion of construction of the approved 
project, and a 50% reduction on the corresponding taxable profits during the eight years following 
the end of the exemption period. 
 Carry-over of losses recorded duri ng the exemption period to set against profits made during the 
first three years of oper ation of the project. 
 Exemption from withholding tax for payments made du ring the period of construction of the project 
and the first ten years of operation. 
 Exemption from the payment of business lice nce fees for a period of five years. 
 Ten-year exemption from property tax for new construction, and progressive application of the tax 
over four years (20, 40, 60, and 80%). 
 Exemption from customs duties and taxes on (new) plant and equipment for a period of ten years. 
 Exemption from VAT on capital goods and person alized supplies for approved tourist hotel 
enterprises. 
Fiscal and customs concessions for investments of less than CFAF 1.8 billion: 
Income tax credit corresponding to 5% of the amount  of the investment, excluding tax, for five years.  
Source: Ordinance No. 2/2000 of 12 October 2000 and 2013 Finance Law. 
                                                                                                                                               
purposes; and exemption from VAT on capital goods and personalized su pplies for approved  tourist hotel 
enterprises (Article 166, General Code of Direct and Indirect Taxes). 
59 Gabonese Republic (2012), Emerging Gabon Strategic Plan , July, Libreville, Gabon. 
60 Online information. Viewed at: www.gabonnationalparks.com. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.100.  The hotel infrastructure is concentrated in Libreville, with a few units in Port-Gentil 
and Franceville. Hotels owned by the State are generally operated under a management contract by three large international chains, and a few units have been privatized. In principle, hotels are classified according to international stan dards; the last classification exercise took place 
in 2012. The prices of rooms and services are fixe d by the operators. In 2009, the average annual 
occupancy rate was around 30.5%.
61 There are a few medium-sized private hotels in Libreville 
and elsewhere. 
4.101.  Tourism was the subject of specific  commitments made by Gabon under the GATS62; 
these commitments relate, in particular, to hotel and restaurant services and to travel agencies and tour operator services. The commitments concern both investment and certain categories of personnel (managers, senior executives and specialists). 
4.102.  Gabon has been a member of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 1995. 
4.5.3  Telecommunications and postal services 4.103.  The postal services and telecommunications subsector is regulated primarily by Law 
No. 4/2001 of 27 June 2001. In accordance with th is framework, the State has exclusive authority 
to establish and operate public telecommunications networks, which it can delegate. Under the authority of the Ministry responsible for telecommunications, the Telecommunications 
Regulatory Agency (ARTEL) allocates licences under a multiple licence regime. 
4.104.  Gabon Télécom has a monopoly on the provision of basic fixed telecommunications 
services (fixed telephony and telex) until 2012. In December 2011, the merger between Gabon Télécom and its mobile subsidiary was completed. In 2011 Gabon Télécom had a fixed-line 
customer base of 22,500 lines (around 32,000 in 2005), which has been declining steadily because 
of competition from mobile services. The fixed-line penetration rate remains low (less than 2% in 2011). Gabon Télécom also offers internet access via its wired network (especially high-speed 
ADSL) and its CDMA network. It has more than 23,500 internet subscribers, representing a 6.5% 
increase. In addition, Gabon Télécom has access to the SAT-3 submarine cable, enabling it to satisfy its own international bandwidth requirements and market international 
services (internet, voice) to other telecom operators. In principle, Gabon Télécom
63 is under 
an obligation to provide basic universal service, financed by a special fund which derives its income from a charge fixed at 2% of the annual turnover of the mobile telephony companies.
64 
4.105.  In 2011, Gabon's mobile telephony market consisted of 2.2 million customers, 
representing a penetration rate of 143%. Airtel ( 55% of the market), Libertis (22%), Moov (16%) 
and UZAN (7%) are the companies licensed in Gabon. The arrangements for interconnection of the telecommunications networks and servic es are governed by Decree No. 000540/PR/MPT 
of 15 June 2005. Under the terms of this Decree, ARTEL is responsible for fixing interconnection 
charge ceilings on the Gabonese telecommunications market. Telephone charges are set freely by the operators, with the exception of those relating to the Gabon Télécom monopoly, which are 
subject to approval; in principle, ARTEL intervenes  only in cases of anti-competitive practices. 
In 2009, an analysis of the telecommunication s market by ARTEL highlighted discriminatory 
practices and a failure to take account of actual costs when fixing interconnection rates. As a consequence, ARTEL introduced a progressi ve, cost-oriented interconnection regime which 
brought interconnection rates down by around CFAF 30 in 2010.
65 The country's Post 
and Electronic Communications Regulatory Ag ency (ARCEP) is responsible for approving 
telecommunications equipment; in principle, it makes a charge for this service.66 
Under an agreement with ARTEL, GABTEL manages frequencies and collects fees for their use. 
                                               
61 Directorate-General of Tourism (2011). 
62 WTO document GATS/SC/34 of 15 April 1994. 
63 The universal service "transmits emergency calls, supplies a universal directory and an information 
service, and serves the national territory with call bo xes installed on the public highway" (Article 37 of Law 
No. 5/2001 of 27 June 2001). 
64 Decree No. 544 /PR/MPT of 15 July 2005. 
65 Decision No. 005709/PCR/ARTEL/09 of 16 September 2009. 
66 Ministerial Order No. 27/MCPTI/CAB of 18 June 2004. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.106.  The number of (mainly mobile) internet users rose from 161,761 in 2008 to 282,776 
in 2011. 
4.107.  La Poste, a public institution responsible for managing the postal services, took over the 
viable assets and liabilities of Gabon Poste, which went into liquidation. In addition to its traditional 
role, La Poste provides various financial services through the Post Office Savings Bank. There are 
many private operators offering express deliver y courier services (DHL, EMS Delta+, Universal 
Express), in addition to those offered by La Poste. In practice, mail from Europe takes about 
a week to reach Gabon. 
4.108.  While international letter-post traffic has declined significantly since 2004 with 
the development of communications technology, Gabon's postal services have reported a steady increase in parcel traffic over the same period (Table 4.2). 
Table 4.1 Postal traffi c statistics, 2006-2011 
 2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 2011  
Domestic traffic       
Letters 1,615  1,900  2,810  2,598  2,829 2,608  
Parcels ..  .. .. 1.2a 3.5 10  
Incoming international 
traffic       
Letter-post traffic 
(kg thousand) 73.9 57.1 47.9 45.5 43.6 44.5  
Number of ordinary letters 
(million) 1.5 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3 
Registered (thousand) 14.6  8.1 6.4 9.4 15 14  
Number of parcels (thousand) 2.7 2.7 3.3 3.9 4.3 4.5 
.. Not available. 
a Launch of COLIDO. Source: La Poste, Directorate- General, Mail Directorate. 
4.5.4  Financial services 
4.5.4.1  Banking services 
4.109.  Banking activities in Gabon are subject to the CEMAC common banking regulations 
(common report, Chapter 4) and the applicable national provisions. In 2010, Gabon's banking 
network consisted of nine banks, seven of which were affiliated to, or majority owned by, 
foreign banks.67 Banking services in Gabon have expanded into the new area of mobile telephone 
banking. In 2009, the Banque internationale pour le commerce et l'industrie du Gabon launched 
its online banking facility, used by 9,000 customer s. However, the possibility of transferring money 
through the internet remains very limited. 
4.110.  The State has a majority stake in the Banque gabonaise de développement (69.01%) 
and the Banque de l'habitat du Gabon (55.55%). The commercial banking subsector in Gabon 
remains highly concentrated. The three biggest ba nks (BGFIBANK, Banque internationale pour le 
commerce et l'industrie du Gabon, and Union ga bonaise des banques) hold 72% of the market 
share in terms of balance sheet total, 83.6% in terms of deposits, and 87.4% in terms of credit. 
The banking penetration rate, estimated at between 5% and 15%, remains low, as it is in 
the region. 
                                               
67 Banque gabonaise de développement, Banque intern ationale pour le commerce et l'industrie du 
Gabon, BGFIBANK, Banque de l'habitat du Gabon, Citibank Gabon S.A., Orabank, Union gabonaise des 
banques, Ecobank Gabon, and United Bank for Africa Gabon. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  4.111.  Four approved specialized financial institutions also provide financial services.68 
Microfinance services continue to experience stro ng growth. The number of microcredit institutions 
has increased from three to ten since Gabon's last TPR. 
4.112.  The banking system is still sufferin g from a number of structural weaknesses, 
including high interest rate margins and a large proportion of loan defaults. The realization 
of collateral remains a complicated and costly proc ess, and the level of enforcement of obligations 
is low. 
4.5.4.2  Insurance services 
4.113.  The insurance market in Gabon is subj ect to the regulations of the Inter-African 
Conference on Insurance Markets (CIMA) (commo n report, Chapter 4). There are eight approved 
companies, six of which are subsidiaries of major international groups. Three of the companies 
specialize in life insurance (NSIA-VIE, UAG-VIE and OGAR-VIE), and five in fire and accidents, 
sundry risks and transport (IARD-T, Assinco, AXA, Colina Assurance Gabon, and NSIA Gabon 
and Ogar). 
4.114.  In addition to motor vehicle third party insurance, which is mandatory under the CIMA 
Code, the insurance of merchandise imports with  a value of more than CFAF 300,000 is also 
mandatory in Gabon.69 
4.115.  In 2009 Gabon set up a reinsurance company, the Société commerciale gabonaise de 
réassurance (SCG-RE). The State has a 67.5% stake in SCG-RE, with local insurance companies holding the remaining shares. The insurance companies are required to cede 15% of their non-life contracts and 10% of their life insurance contracts to SCG-RE.
70 In addition, obligations under 
the Common Reinsurance Company of the Member States of CIMA (CICA-RE) remain in force. 
                                               
68 BGFI-Bail, BICI-Bail, FINATRA and SOGACA. 
69 Ordinance No. 6/79/PR of 11 January 1979. 
70 Ordinance No. 0013/PR/2011 of 11 August 2011. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  REFERENCES 
African Industrial Association (2008), Lutte contre la contrefaçon dans la CEMAC . Online 
information. Viewed at: http://typo3.mediami nd.be/wcms/fileadmin/africanindustrial.org/ 
pdfs/seminaire_CEMAC/Rapport.pdf. 
 
French Development Agency (2010), Le secteur de l'eau au Gabon . Online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.afd.fr/webdav/site/afd/shared/PO RTAILS/SECTEURS/EAU_ET_ASSAINISSEMENT/pdf/ 
Actions%20AFD%20Eau%20au%20Gabon.pdf. 
 African Development Bank (2011), Country Strategy Paper (Gabon) 2011-2015 . Online 
information. Viewed at: http://www.afdb.org/ fi leadmin/uploads/afdb/D ocuments/Project-and-
Operations/2011-2015%20-%20Gabon%20-%20Country%20Dialogue%20Paper-
Draft%20Version.pdf.  
African Development Bank, Country Strategy Paper (Gabon) 2011-2015 . 
Online information. Viewed at: http://www.afdb .org/fileadmin/uploads/af db/Documents/Project-
and-Operations/Gabon%20-%20Document%20de%20strat%C3%A9gie%20pays%202011-
2015%20(Final).pdf. 
 Privatization Committee (2012), Rapport d'activités 2011 , January. 
 
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2011), Les économies de l'Afrique centrale . 
Viewed at: http://ecahighlights.files.wordpr ess.com/2012/10/leseconomiedelafriquecentrale 
2011.pdf. 
 
Environmental Treaties and Resource Indicators (ENTRI), Country profile: Gabon . Viewed at: 
sedac.ciesin.org/entri/CountryISO.jsp. 
 
International Monetary Fund (IMF) (2011), Gabon: 2010 Article IV Consultation , Washington D.C.  
 Gabonese Government (2011), PER volet pays , Libreville, Gabon. 
 
Ministry of Industry and Mines (2012), Rapport d'activité annuel , Libreville, Gabon. 
 
Ministry of Water Resources and Forests (2011), Note économique de la filière forêt-bois , 
Libreville, Gabon.  
World Health Organization (2009), Stratégie de coopération . Viewed at: 
http://www.who.int/countryfocus/cooperat ion_strategy/ccsbrief_gab_fr.pdf. 
 UNDP (2011), Human Development Report . Viewed at: http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/ 
hdr2011/download. 
 Gabonese Republic (2012), Plan de stratégie Gabon émergent , July, Libreville, Gabon. 
 WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES 
Table A1.1 Structure of exports, 2006-2011 
(US$ billion and %) 
 2006  2007  2008  2009 2010 2011  
Total exports (US$ billion) 6.0  6.3 9.5 5.4 8.6 9.8  
 (% share) 
Live animals and an imal products 0.3  0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Vegetable products 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Seeds and animal or vegetable oils 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Prepared foodstuffs 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.7 0.3 0.2 
Mineral products 88.7  87.0 91.4 86.1 92.5 93.9  
  Mineral fuels, mineral oils 85.6 83.4 88.8 83.0 90.0 91.4 
  Ores, slag and ash 3.1  3.5 2.6 3.1 2.4 2.4  
  Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; 
 plastering materials  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Products of the chem ical industries 0.0  0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0  
Plastics and articles thereof 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.9 
  Rubber and articles thereof 0.4  0.4 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.9  
  Plastics and articles thereof 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Raw hides and skins, leather, furskins 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Wood, wood charcoal and articles of wood 8.3 10.5 6.6 10.4 4.7 3.8 
  Wood, wood charcoal and articles of wood 8.3  10.5 6.6 10.4 4.7 3.8  
  Basketware and wickerwork 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Wood pulp 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Textiles and textile articles 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Footwear, headgear, umbrellas, sun umbrellas 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Articles of stone, plas ter, cement, asbestos 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious 
stones 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Base metals and articles of base metal 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical 
equipment 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.3 0.6 0.4  
Vehicles, aircraft, vessels 1.4 0.9 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.3 
Optical, photographic, etc., instruments and apparatus  0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.1  
Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Miscellaneous manufactured articles 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Works of art, collectors ' pieces and antiques 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Source: Information provided by the Gabonese authorities. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table A1.2 Structure of imports, 2006-2011 
(US$ billion and %) 
 2006  2007  2008  2009 2010 2011  
Total imports (US$ billion) 1.7  2.2 2.5 2.4 3.0 3.6  
 (% share) 
Live animals and animal products, of which: 5.8  6.5 6.7 6.2 5.5 6.0  
 Meat and edible meat offal 3.5 4.2 4.3 3.9 3.7 3.8 
  Dairy produce, eggs, honey  1.7  1.7 1.9 1.7 1.3 1.5  
Vegetable products, of which: 3.8 4.5 4.5 5.0 4.0 4.1 
  Cereals 2.4  3.0 2.9 3.3 2.9 2.9  
Seeds and animal or vegetable oils 1.7 2.1 2.2 1.1 1.0 1.0 
  Fats and oils (animal or vegetable) 1.7  2.1 2.2 1.1 1.0 1.0  
Prepared foodstuffs, of which: 6.8 6.4 6.1 6.2 5.7 5.6 
  Beverages, spirits and vinegar 1.2  1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.2  
 Preparations of cereals, of flour  1.0 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.2 
Mineral products 5.4  5.9 6.8 8.6 12.0 13.2  
  Mineral fuels, mineral oils 4.0 4.7 4.9 7.4 10.4 11.7 
  Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; 
 plastering materials 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.2 1.5 1.4  
  Ores, slag and ash 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 
Products of the chemical industries, of which: 7.8  8.2 8.2 9.2 7.9 6.9  
  Pharmaceutical products 2.4 3.1 2.9 3.0 2.6 2.4 
  Miscellaneous chemical products 1.6  1.5 1.6 1.8 2.1 1.4  
Plastics and articles thereof 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.6 4.1 
 Plastics and articles thereof 2.0  2.0 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.4  
  Rubber and articles thereof 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.4 1.7 
Raw hides and skins, leather, fur skins 0.2  0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2  
Wood, wood charcoal and articles of wood 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
Wood pulp 2.3  2.6 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.5  
Textiles and textile articles 1.7 2.3 1.3 1.3 1.6 1.3 
Footwear, headgear, umbrellas, sun umbrellas 0.5  0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4  
Articles of stone, plas ter, cement, asbestos 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.5 
Natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones 0.3  0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1  
Base metals and articles of base metal, of which: 13.2 14.5 11.6 14.3 11.2 11.6 
  Articles of iron or steel 9.0  9.4 6.5 10.3 7.0 7.0  
  Iron and steel 1.3 1.7 2.1 1.2 1.7 1.8 
Machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment 26.2  26.0 27.9 26.3 28.5 24.1  
  Mechanical machinery and appliances  18.0 17.5 21.0 18.3 21.7 15.9 
  Electrical machinery and appliances 8.2  8.5 7.0 7.9 6.8 8.1  
Vehicles, aircraft, vessels, of which: 15.5 10.7 11.9 9.7 10.4 12.5 
  Motor vehicles, tractors, cycles  10.1  9.2 9.1 7.6 6.9 9.7  
  Aircraft, spacecraft 3.0 0.8 0.9 0.7 1.9 1.1 
Optical, photographic, cine matographic, measuring, 
checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof, including: 2.2
 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.1 2.8  
  Optical and photographic instruments and apparatus 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.5 3.0 2.8 
Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof 0.2  0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1  
Miscellaneous manufactured articles 1.4 1.7 1.9 1.6 1.8 2.9 
Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  
Source: Information provided by the Gabonese authorities. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table A1.3 Destination of exports, 2006-2011 
(US$ billion and %) 
 2006  2007  2008  2009 2010 2011  
World (US$ billion) 6.0  6.3 9.5 5.4 8.6 9.8  
 (% share) 
 America 58.7  55.1 55.6 59.0 63.0 ..  
  United States 58.4 53.4 51.8 58.9 58.3 .. 
 Other America 0.3  1.7 3.9 0.1 4.6 ..  
       
 Europe 15.1  17.7 17.0 19.5 17.4 ..  
  EU(27) 12.1 17.2 16.2 17.9 15.0 .. 
  Netherlands 0.4  0.5 3.6 3.0 5.5 ..  
  France 7.1 11.3 6.0 4.6 3.8 .. 
  Spain 1.4  1.5 3.3 5.3 3.1 ..  
  United Kingdom 1.2 1.5 0.0 2.1 0.9 .. 
  Italy 1.1  1.2 2.8 0.7 0.6 ..  
  Belgium 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 .. 
  EFTA 2.9  0.5 0.7 1.5 2.3 ..  
  Switzerland and Liechtenstein 2.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.9 .. 
  Norway 0.3  0.5 0.4 0.6 0.4 ..  
  Other Europe 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 .. 
       
 Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 .. 
       
  Africa 5.5 4.1 3.8 5.4 3.1 .. 
  Congo 0.3  0.3 0.3 1.5 0.8 ..  
  Côte d'Ivoire 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 .. 
  Morocco 0.3  0.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 ..  
  Senegal 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.3 .. 
  Equatorial Guinea 0.1  0.8 0.2 0.3 0.2 ..  
  Gambia 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 .. 
  Benin 0.0  0.3 0.3 0.5 0.2 ..  
       
 Middle East 0.1  0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 ..  
       
 Asia 20.4  22.6 23.3 15.8 16.3 ..  
  China 10.6 9.5 13.3 8.1 5.1 .. 
  Japan 0.1  5.5 0.7 0.1 0.1 ..  
  Six East Asian Traders 7.6 6.3 2.5 6.8 5.3 .. 
  Malaysia 0.0  2.5 1.4 4.0 5.2 ..  
  Other Asia 2.2 1.3 6.8 0.9 5.8 .. 
  Australia 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 2.3 ..  
  India 2.1 0.9 6.4 0.8 2.0 .. 
  Indonesia 0.0  0.3 0.3 0.0 1.5 ..  
       
 Other 0.0  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 ..  
.. Not available. 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the Gabonese authorities. WT/TPR/S/285 • GABON 
 
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  Table A1.4 Origin of imports, 2006-2011 
(US$ billion and %) 
 2006  2007  2008  2009 2010 2011  
World (US$ billion) 1.7  2.2 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.6  
 (% share) 
  America 10.3  12.9 15.7 14.3 17.1 ..  
  United States 6.8 8.4 11.1 9.4 14.1 .. 
 Other America 3.4  4.5 4.6 4.8 3.0 ..  
  Brazil 1.8 2.0 2.5 2.0 1.2 .. 
  Canada 0.4  0.7 1.0 0.9 0.8 ..  
       
  Europe 67.7  57.4 52.6 59.5 52.1 ..  
  EU(27) 67.1 56.3 51.6 58.4 50.3 .. 
  France 40.0  30.4 28.6 32.9 25.8 ..  
  United Kingdom 1.9 3.3 4.3 4.0 6.1 .. 
  Netherlands 2.8  3.4 4.0 4.6 4.4 ..  
  Germany 1.9 5.0 4.1 3.7 4.4 .. 
  Italy 1.9  3.1 3.0 3.2 2.9 ..  
  Belgium 14.4 3.7 2.9 5.5 2.9 .. 
  Spain 2.4  2.9 2.0 2.1 1.8 ..  
  EFTA 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.6 1.2 .. 
  Switzerland and Liechtenstein 0.1  0.5 0.4 0.4 0.9 ..  
  Other Europe 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.6 .. 
  Turkey 0.3  0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 ..  
       
  Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 0.2  0.2 0.3 0.3 0.8 ..  
       
  Africa 9.2  8.0 9.2 7.2 6.5 ..  
  South Africa 1.8 2.1 1.7 1.7 1.5 .. 
  Cameroon 3.5  2.8 2.2 1.7 1.3 ..  
  Côte-d'Ivoire 0.8 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.8 .. 
       
  Middle East 2.1 2.3 1.3 1.5 1.8 .. 
  United Arab Emirates 1.1  1.0 0.8 0.7 0.8 ..  
       
  Asia 10.6  15.4 17.6 16.4 18.9 ..  
  China 2.7 4.7 5.2 6.0 8.4 .. 
  Japan 3.0  4.5 4.2 3.6 3.8 ..  
  Six East Asian Traders 3.2 3.7 5.7 4.1 4.0 .. 
  Thailand 1.6  2.3 3.2 2.0 2.3 ..  
  Malaysia 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.6 0.6 .. 
  Other Asia 1.7  2.5 2.5 2.8 2.8 ..  
  India 0.8 1.2 1.0 1.5 1.3 .. 
  Viet Nam 0.3  0.4 0.5 0.4 0.6 ..  
       
  Other 0.0  3.8 3.3 0.9 2.8 ..  
.. Not available. 
Source: WTO Secretariat calculations based on data provided by the Gabonese authorities.