United States Department of State

Gabon United States Department of State

Gabon's government is anxious to attract foreign direct investment. In July 2012 Gabon released President Ali Bongo Ondimba's, Strategic Plan for an Emerging Gabon (PSGE / Plan Strategique Gabon Emergent), an ambitious blueprint for developing Gabon into an emerging economy by 2025 by diversifying the country away from its reliance on energy exports and transforming Gabon into an internationally competitive investment destination. The plan calls for increased public and private investment, modernized infrastructure, and improved human capital. The government understands that foreign direct investment will help it achieve its developmental goals. The Gabonese government has taken several measures to strengthen public investment management and the transparency of infrastructure development. Priority sectors for the government include transportation, housing, public facilities, tourism, energy, education, health, ports, and other large infrastructure projects. The National Infrastructure Agency (ANGT) was set up to manage the identification, planning, management, and implementation of large public infrastructure projects. ANGT's mission is to build projects that add value, complete identified existing projects, and develop new projects within the agreed schedule and budget. The American engineering corporation Bechtel assisted the government in forming ANGT and initially ran the agency. ANGT became a legally separate organization on January 1, 2013, although Bechtel employees continue to play a significant role in its operations.