Okoume, a light hardwood used to make plywood, is the most commercially important variety but some two dozen species are marketed. 93 percent of timber exports by value consist of crude logs, with most of the rest as plywood. Timber products have typically been Gabon's second largest export. Fishing also offers great potential as Gabon has 800 km of Atlantic coastline and numerous lakes and rivers. A number of parastatals have been identified for privatization over the next few years.
Telecommunications is an area of particular interest.
U.S. companies have already been active as suppliers of some products and services. There have been significant road and public works projects, but most of this construction business has gone to French companies which already have a presence and experience in Gabon and Africa. The Government of Gabon has sought to increase investment for public housing and has sought to create incentives or opportunities for concessionary financing. U.S. foreign direct investment is increasingly viewed as a complement or even a necessary component of trade. For example roughly 60 percent of U.S. exports are sold by American firms that have operations abroad.