Gabon Special Economic Zone - MarathonduGabon.com

Gabon Special
Economic Zone

Welcome to Gabon

Gabon, an equatorial climatic country in West Central Africa, is spread
over an area of 267,667 sq. Km, of which 85% is rain-forest.

Aerial view of Gabon Rain-forest

“Gabon – at the forefront of Africa’s
transformation: a strong democracy,
a resilient economy, and a just society”

Gabon is the emerging face of Africa. Its successes lie at the heart of Africa’s
transformation. Only 50 years since independence, and with a population of only
1.6 million, Gabon is forging an ever-stronger reputation in international development
and investment circles.   The country has prospered economically, all whilst prioritizing
sustainability, good governance, inward investment and human development.
Indeed, Gabon is proud to state it has the highest Human Development Index (HDI)
in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Looking forward, inward investment and diversification will be key elements to Gabon’s
economy. Using our long-standing political and social stability, combined with improving
infrastructure, diverse natural resources and the nation’s strategic geographical position,
we have an even brighter future ahead of us. Working hand in hand, these are helping
to create an attractive structure for foreign investment and domestic growth, across all
industries and sectors.
 
Collaboration in 2010, with Olam International Singapore, has led to the creation of a multi-
product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Nkok, 20 Km from the capital city of Libreville.
We have jointly constructed an incentive model that encourages the processing of natural
resources whilst providing supportive infrastructure for ancillary units to set up base within
Gabon.
The decision to create a Special Economic Zone is a cornerstone of our emerging
Gabon strategy; which aims, in simple terms, to protect our environment in a sustainable
manner whilst promoting diverse industrial growth.
The SEZ is just one of many projects that have made it possible for international
investors to provide technology and machinery that allows value added products
to be created within Gabon, rather than abroad. Such projects also provide and
promote vast new opportunities for domestic investment, in addition to generating
employment opportunities.
Our governance reforms have also reassured international investors, and
encouraged domestic growth. Stronger legal structures, combined with simplified
transparent tax reforms, have ensured that Gabon continues to attract foreign as well
as domestic investment. Gabon has created a positive environment fostering
international and domestic investment, responsible industry growth and prosperity
for all. This environment is not yet a norm in Africa; Gabon is leading the continent
to an even better tomorrow.

His Excellency Ali Bongo Ondimba

President, Republic of Gabon

Gabon - Land of Opportunities

The Gabonese Republic is a State on the west
coast of Central Africa. Gabon is bordered by
Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon
to the north, the Republic of the Congo on the
east and south, and the Gulf of Guinea to
the west. It has an area of nearly 270,000
sq. km. (100,000 sq mi), with an extensive
rainforests covering 85% of the Country and
a population estimated at 1.5 million people.

Since its independence from France on
August 17, 1960, Gabon is one of the most
prosperous countries in Sub-Saharan Africa,
with the highest HDI and the third highest
GDP per capita (PPP) in the region.

The nation’s territory comprising its
national park system (with 13 parks in total),
is one of the largest proportions of nature
parkland in the world.
Natural resources include: petroleum,
magnesium, iron, gold, uranium, and forests
with 400 species of woods.

Gabon’s literacy rate is 88.4%
(Male literacy at 90% and female literacy at 82 %)

Economic statistics

GDP 26 Billion USD (2012)

% of GDP growth 3.3 % (ME 2008)

Inflation rate 5.4% (ME 2008)

Trade balance +3.97 Billion $(ME 2008)

Total exports 5.21 Billion $(ME 2008)

Total imports 1.24 Billion $(ME 2008)

Major clients USA(53%), China(7%)
France(5%), CEMAC(0.71%)
(ME 2008)

Major providers France(40.1%)
Belgium(12.9%), USA(5.9%)
CEMAC(4.1%), China(3.9%)
(ME 2008)

Petroleum production 221,621 barrels/day
(ME 2008)

Libreville aerial view GDP contributors Industries - 58.9%
Services - 35.2%
Agriculture - 6%

Extremely rich in natural resources, key drivers of Gabon economy are:
Oil & Gas, Manganese ore (world’s second-largest production), Gold,
Uranium and extensive forests with 400 species of woods.
Gabon has approximately 1 Billion tons of Iron ore reserves, 3.7 billion
barrels of Oil reserves and 12.5 million Hectares of exploitable forest.

SOGARA refinery with an export Jetty

Olam Palm plantation

Olam in Gabon

OLAM International Limited

Started in 1989, Olam has its presence in 65
countries worldwide with headquarters in Singapore.
Olam, global leader in Agro commodity supply chain management
company with an global Employee base of 21,000; has an annual
turnover of 17.1 Billion S$ (FY 2012).

Witnessing a favorable investment climate in Gabon, Olam
international Limited in partnership with the Republic of Gabon
have entered in four Joint-Ventures with following objectives:

• Diversifying the Gabonese economy away from
extractive industries, in line with the President’s
Emergent Gabon 2025 plan;

• Creating jobs in remote rural areas and Re-orienting the
rural population towards agriculture;

• Through the successful incubation of the projects, the
Government hoped to attract other industry players and
investors for developing the industrial sector in Gabon.

Olam is now present in 6 locations throughout Gabon and has so Olam Palm Gabon GSEZ Gabon Fertilizer Company Olam Rubber Gabon
far created around 5,000 jobs in the following projects-

Olam Palm Gabon – OPG aims at developing 50,000 hectares of
palm plantations. 15,000 ha planted till date.

Gabon SEZ - GSEZ aims at developing a 1,126 hectare multi-
products industrial park. 550 Ha area developed.

Gabon Fertilizer Company - GFC aims at developing a
urea-ammonia fertilizer plant with a production capacity of
1.3 million tons per annum.

Olam Rubber Gabon – ORG aims at developing 28,000 hectares
of rubber plantations. 2,019ha planted till date.

The Project- GSEZ

The Nkok SEZ is an integrated mutli products industrial park and is a Joint Venture between
Republic of Gabon (40%) and Olam International, Singapore (60%).

A true cornerstone of enlightened cooperation between Olam and the RoG, the creation of
the NKOK Special Economic Zone (SEZ) aims at giving the country an economic instrument
of choice, which will ensure healthy and competitive business and promotes sustainable
production and process of natural resources for local as well as export.

Following on from the partnership deal signed in 2010 between Olam and Gabon (a joint
venture) for an initial investment of 240 million USD, the SEZ benefits from a unique tax
status, that will, without a doubt, ensure a stable and competitive economic climate for
companies wishing to establish themselves in the zone.

The Nkok site where the SEZ is implemented, accommodates mixed land uses efficiently
and provides flexibility in design & engineering with changing market conditions.

A self inclusive zone with all required industrial and social infrastructure it is
divided in 3 zones – Industrial, Commercial and Residential zones, and aims to
balance work-life-play.

Artistic impression of GSEZ Total Area : 1,126 ha
First Phase : 550 Hectares
Railway Line Industrial zone : 220 ha (80% of area sold)
Commercial zone : 20 ha (85% area sold)
Port Owendo Residential zone : 150 ha (90% area sold)
Total Customers : 77 from 15 different nations

Location and connectivity

GSEZ Trans-Gabonese Railway Corridor defines the northern boundary of the site,
which connects international Port Owendo to inner part of the country.

Connectivity to the international Port Owendo is by water way at a distance of
18 Km, by road 35 km and by Railway 21 km.

National Highway
Railway Line
Waterway

GSEZ Entrance

Industry in operation in SEZ. Expat skilled worker training local staff Incentive To Investors

CEMAC REGION MEMBERSHIP Highlights

Cameroon A Public Private Partnership between Olam Singapore & Government of Gabon Strategic
Central African Republic base for business in West Central Africa
Chad Access to CEMAC region
Equatorial Guinea Country currency (FCFA) pegged to EURO
Republic of the Congo A world-class infrastructure
Gabon Multiple logistics options within the SEZ – Road, Railway Siding and Quay for barges
CEMAC Subsidized Power (50% of Market Price)
(Central African Economic and Monetary Community ) Project approved by Environment Ministry
region share a free border movement for goods. Commercial and Residential Zones part of project for Live–Work– Entertainment experience
at one location

GSEZ Fiscal Benefits

100% Exemption from Income Tax
100% Exemption from Corporate Tax
100% Exemption from Capital Gains Tax
100% Exemption of VAT/TVA
100% Exemption from Property Tax
100% Foreign Ownership permitted
100% Exemption from Custom Duties
100% Repatriation of Capital & Profits
Relaxed labor law with respect to number of Expatriates
Single Window Facility for business approvals

Note: For details and duration of fiscal incentives refer the SEZ Act



Customs office in SEZ Streamlined Business Setup
Ready to move-in office in SWC building
Readymix Concrete Plant GABON SEZ is committed to ensure that setting up business within our SEZ is smooth, cost
effective and faster.

Single Window Facility

To expedite government approvals, a single window approval facility comprising all
relevant departments and agencies is housed within the SEZ, and is extended to all
industrialists setting up base within the SEZ. These officers work under the guidance
of Single Window Clearance Authority.

A Single Window Clearance Authority is created by Article 20 of the law (10/2011),
whereby this authoriry is exclusively responsible for completing all formalities and
giving approvals to investors.

Virtual Offices ~ Plug & Play Facility

While your office/factory is under construction, you may base yourself in the
tastefully designed and constructed state of the art building within existing prime location
of the SEZ.

Construction support

GSEZ offers Readymade (semi furnished) sheds for immediate factory installation.
Ready mix concrete plant and other construction material facilities offered.

Single Window Clearance Authority building

Electrical Main Receiving Station at GSEZ

Infrastructure Power Plant
Water tanks of 6 million Liter capacity
Electricity

Dual fuel (gas/diesel) 70 MW Power Plant is operational and is the source of power.
Another line (second source) from a hydroelectric plant is being pulled up to the site. The
Main Receiving Sub Station, 5 Zonal Sub stations and a network of 24km long 20KV HT and
LT lines is already commissioned. The zone is well lit with a network of conventional and
energy efficient solar powered streetlights.

Water supply

7 bore wells are the source of Industrial grade water. The 15 kms long water pipe line
network is in place and provides Industrial water to all plots. 2 water tanks with a daily
capacity of 6 million liters are operational.

Waste Water Treatment Plant

The Common Sewage Treatment Plant with a daily treatment capacity of 5 Million
Liters is operational, treating to standard prescribed by Environment Ministry.
A 12km long sewer line exists in the whole Zone.

Environment

The Environmental and Social impact assessment study was completed in 2010 and the
project has the approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

The Environment Management Plan is prepared and monthly environment
monitoring is ongoing.

Telecom

Telecommunication facility will be provided by private operators. There are many prominent
players active in the region like AIRTEL (Bharti Airtel), MOOV (Etisalat), LIBERTIS (Gabon
Telecom) and Azur (Saudi Binladin Group). Libertis has already installed boosters in the
region because of which the investors are able to access internet through Dongles/USB
Card connection.

Satellite dish by Ageos

Police Station Facilities
Operational Container Terminal at GSEZ
Water way transport- Quai under construction Police Station
Log Park
The Police Station building is ready and will provide 24x7 security cover.

Container Terminal cum Railway Siding

A Container terminal and railway siding is proposed within the SEZ to ensure
easy movement of raw material from within the country to SEZ and transport
of finished product from SEZ to port. A Container terminal with a storage capacity
of approximately 5,000 TEUS is proposed of which first phase of 1,500 TEUs is
already operational.

Quay

A Quay with 200m long front, sufficient to dock four 1,000 Ton barges at the same
time will provide quick and easy means of transport of material.

Log Park

For Industries into Timber, a log park exists within project site for storing logs
and providing a platform to companies with forest concessions to do trading
of species not of their use.

Warehouse

A warehouse zone, measuring 100,000 sqm is proposed within the SEZ.
The construction of 20,000 warehouse/industrial shed is already initiated by an
investor and will be available on rent.

First Aid Centre

A First Aid Centre has been constructed to provide primary health facility to Industrial
workers. This facility is available to investors on user basis.

Fire Station

The Fire Station within the SEZ will have fire tenders and manpower on duty
24x7 to deal instantly with any fire accident within the zone.

Kiln Drying Plant

A common Kiln drying plant is under construction for companies in timber processing.

“GSEZ has developed world class
infrastructure and industry support facilities”.
Madam Gao Yuang,

Compagnie Dan Gabon (Investor- GSEZ)

International Owendo Port

Investors

GABON SEZ has 77 investors from 15 different nationalities with
total FDI committed of 1.7 Billion USD.

BENIN CAMEROON CANADA CHINA FRANCE
GABON
MOROCCO INDIA LEBANON MALAYSIA MALI

PORTUGAL SINGAPORE SPAIN USA

GSEZ Investor- Foundry Unit

GSEZ Investor- Pre Fab concrete house construction company So far, committed industrial projects are :
GSEZ Investor- Drying kiln and Molding unit
• Foundry plant
• Sawn timber and Veneer plant
• Drying kiln
• Molding and furniture manufacturing units
• Manganese processing plant
• Construction material
• Computer assembly
• Aluminium recycling units
• Cosmetic production
• Industrial oxygen bottling unit
• Prefab concrete housing construction unit
• Cable manufacturing unit

GSEZ commercial zone also has all the required facilities:

• Banks (BGFIBank, Ecobank, BICIG),
• Shopping centers (CECADO, Prix-Import)
• La Poste (local post services) & Insurance
• Restaurants, offices, etc.
• Fuel stations (Petro Gabon and Total)

Machines installation under progress in an Industry in GSEZ

Investors - Projects In Pipeline

Commercial Center
Office Complex
Row housing

Artistic impression of AGEOS campus under construction

Life in Gabon Reserve Forest, Wild life
Sports
Leisure, Recreation

Entertainment
Eating out

Marine life Sea Front, Beach

Healthcare Ethnic Culture Night Life

Gabon Special Economic Zone

Galerie Tsika, Behind Mbolo
PO Box: 1024, Libreville, Gabon

+241 0600 5608/ 0600 5614/ 0600 5605

[email protected]
gabonadvance.com