India – Republic of Gabon Relations

India and Gabon have enjoyed warm and friendly relations dating back to preindependence era of Gabon. Gabon has supported India’s candidature at various international forums.

Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, Senior Minister for National Defence of Gabon and the incumbent President of Gabon visited India in November, 2007. He held bilateral talks with Raksha Mantri and visited defence training centres and production facilities.

Minister for Mining, Oil, Energy and Hydraulic Resources, Mr. Richard Auguste and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, Mr. Jean Ping visited India in May, 2007.

Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Hydrocarbons, Mr. Julian Nkoghe Bekalen visited India in December, 2009 to participate in the 2nd India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference held in New Delhi.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs visited New Delhi from 27-29 March, 2011 to participate in the 7th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership.

India’s Economic Assistance to Gabon:

• GOI had extended a Line of Credit worth US$14.5 million in March, 2007 and made effective in January, 2008 for a housing project in Bikele near Libreville. The project consists of construction of 300 houses and 4 amenities. The project remains incomplete due to differences between the Government of Gabon and the Indian consortium engaged for the project on various issues such as further release of funds, grant of visa/residence permit to Indian workers, etc. Exim Bank has released US$ 4.35 million for this project.

• GOI has extended another Line of Credit worth US$ 67.19 million to rehabilitate and upgrade the broadcasting facilities of Gabon. The LOC will be operative in due course.

Capacity Building Programme

Gabon was allocated 25 slots under ITEC, out of which 4 were utilised in 2012- 13. 3 officials received training under AIFS in 2012-13.

Assistance:

• Gabon was among the first 15 African countries to implement the Pan African enetwork project. Tele-education, Tele-medicine and VVIP connectivity have been set up in Libreville under this project.

• A Vocational Training Centre would be set up in Gabon, under the Plan of Action agreed with the African Union as a result of the first India Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in April, 2008.

Indian Investments:

(i) Oil India Ltd. [OIL], in partnership with Indian Oil Ltd., is conducting oil exploration in Shakti Block, Lamberele. In July, 2013, 41 million barrel ‘in-place’ oil has been discovered by the OIL.

(ii) Bharti Airtel had acquired Zain Communications Network in 2010.

Trade and Commercial Relations:

Gabon has large oil reserves, mineral as well other natural resources. It is the world’s second largest producer of manganese. There is a lot of potential for bilateral cooperation.

Principal items of exports from India to Gabon are meat and meat products, pharmaceuticals, cotton, iron and steel. Imports from Gabon consist of wood and articles of wood, ores, slag and ash.

Bilateral trade figures are given below:

(US$ million)

Year	2006- 07	2007- 08	2008- 09	2009- 10	2010- 11	2011- 12	2012- 13	2013- 14	2014- 15
Exports	16.63	25.9	21.65	25.02	37.55	47	54.17	52.59	42.67
Imports	115.5	120.58	175.12	180.58	307.71	146.26	816.43	868.47	793.06

Indian community:

There are around 100 Indians living in Gabon. They are basically engaged in infrastructure projects, trading, export of timber and metal scrap.

Note:  Content for this article provided by IAFS.in

India – Republic of Gabon Relations

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