Meeting with the Gabonese Republic delegation and Italian private sector.
(UNIDO ITPO Italy, Rome, Oct. 5^th 2010, h. 14:00)

On October 5^th 2010, UNIDO ITPO Italy hosted in its Office a Meeting with the Gabonese Republic delegation and several Italian entrepreneurs. The main subject of this Meeting was: “Wood Sector in Gabon and future collaborations”.

The Gabonese delegation was represented by:

Mr. Martin MABALA, Minister of Water and Forests; Mr. André Jules MADINGOU, Counsellor of the Minister; Mr. Louis S. CHARICAUTH, Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO and Ms. Elyse NANG BITEGHE, Economic and Trade Counsellor at the Gabonese Embassy in Rome.

The Italian participant entrepreneurs were:

Mr.Antonio LOTRECCHIANO, Bongioanni PEZZOLATO; Mr. Gianpaolo BENATTI, TERMOLEGNO; Mr. Umberto RIDOLFI, ARTIGLIO; Mr. Paolo PESENTE, INCOMAC; Mr. Marco RODOFILI, CORAL; Mr. Michele MEOLI, FEDECOMLEGNO.

Ms. Marcela PINEDO (UNIDO ITPO – Sub-Saharan Africa Division) was the moderator of the above mentioned event.

The Meeting started with a Power Point presentation concerning the relationship between UNIDO, ITPO Italy and the African continent (Mission, UNIDO Network, Projects etc.). At the end of the presentation, the Gabonese Minister of Water and Forests presented his country (Geography, Raw materials, Sustainable Development, Security and Opportunity for foreign investors).

Following a long debate on these issues, the meeting with the Italian entrepreneurs took place.

After a brief presentation on the Gabonese Republic pronounced by Minister MABALA, he underlined all the details concerning the wood sector, because this was one of the most important key sectors in Gabon, especially due to its forests which covered 85% of the country. The small population density along with abundant natural resources and foreign private investments have helped Gabon to be one of the most prosperous countries in the region, with the highest HDI in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Gabonese Minister also explained that in the last few years the Government adopted a law provides for 75% of timber have to be manufactured in the country before being exported abroad. The aim of this decision is to promote the development of the wood and transformation industry in Gabon, in order to make it a leading-edge sector. Another significant aspect concerns the creation of a Special Economic Zone in Nkok for facilitating the installation of enterprises.

Furthermore Minister Mabala added that the Gabonese government has a special fund to sustain industrialists and investors. A relevant opportunity for these two groups is the tax free exportation in this sector. At the end, the Minister declared that further efforts must be addressed to the Gabonese industrialists training. After his speech, each Italian entrepreneur introduced his company (Mission, Products, Investments) leaving his company catalogues to the Gabonese delegation.

UNIDO ITPO Italy will keep in touch with all participants, offering its expertise and support in eventual projects in Gabon.