2023-06-25 22:07:15
Gabon, a country that is continuing its efforts to diversify its economy, which is too dependent on oil revenues. A new sector has been targeted as part of this diversification of the economy: the local processing of tuna, a migratory fish that abounds in Gabonese waters. Nearly 320,000 tons of tuna are caught in Gabon every year, but are not landed in the country. A forum was held from May 11 to 13 in Port-Gentil, the country’s economic capital, to reflect on this industrialization of the tuna industry.
Nearly 300 experts, fishermen and investors took part in the Port-Gentil forum. Some came from Guinea Conakry and Benign. To his guests, the Gabonese Minister of Fisheries, Pascal Houagni Ambouroue, explained why Gabon is now betting on the industrialization of its sector tuna boat : « For a long time, we magnified the oil sector, the mining sector, the historical sector such as wood. And we have somewhat forgotten the fishing sector. And the fishing sector is not to be outdone and can contribute more to GDP growth. ».
According to Gabonese government statistics, almost a quarter of the world’s Atlantic tuna stock comes from Gabon. The time has therefore come for the country to make the most of this resource. Blaise Louembe, Minister of Industrial Development: “ Gabon’s national industrialization strategy stipulates that all raw materials must undergo at least a third transformation before export. And the tuna will not escape it. Gabon must be a major player and take its share of the $15 billion shared by tuna producers. But it must also participate in the 50 billion dollars of finished products. Fishing, and especially the industrialization of the tuna sector, will create new value chains and thousands of direct and indirect jobs ».
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Ongoing investment negotiations
Tuna is mainly caught in Gabon by Spanish and French trawlers who export all the fish directly to European factories. Emmanuel Berck, mainly negotiator of fishing agreements for the old continent, was omnipresent during the Port-Gentil forum: “ For a country like Gabon, it is interesting that processing and landings can take place in its waters and on its territory, but there are still efforts to be made for this industrialization to become a reality.It is “.
Indeed, to succeed in this industrialization of tuna, Gabon must first make significant investments. In particular, it is necessary to modernize the landing ports and create factories to international standards. Talks are said to be very advanced with Norway to finance certain infrastructures. In 2017, a factory worth 32 billion FCFA was built but never operated. It is currently being dusted off.
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