Visit of the Czech Deputy Prime Minister to Gabon: Historic breakthrough in bilateral and trade relations
20.12.2024 / 11:18 | Aktualizováno: 20.12.2024 / 12:29
The African trip of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Marian Jurecka culminated in the Republic of Gabon from 11 to 13 December 2024. It was the first ever visit of a top Czech representative to this country in Equatorial Africa and the Gabonese confirmed that they perceive its importance as strongly as we do. However, M. Jurečka did not come only to deepen bilateral relations. Above all, he helped to open wide the doors of the market, which Czech companies have been successfully penetrating in recent years. Gabon is economically and security stable. In addition to oil, it has large mineral reserves, but it is oil that makes it one of the richest economies in sub-Saharan Africa, with the status of an upper-middle-income country. The Gabonese have long sought to diversify their foreign partners, so Czech quality products and modern technologies are and will be a welcome option for them and an enrichment of the local market of this oil regional power.
Minister of National Defense
The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by a strong business delegation, as the opening of pathways to this promising African market was one of the main priorities of the visit. Some of them are already operating in Gabon and the visit supported their contracts, while others perceived the visit as a search for new opportunities, and it was for them that the programme included a visit to the Nkok Special Economic Zone, which attracts potential investors not only in the timber industry.
Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning
On the basis of the demand of the Gabonese people, specified, among other things, by the Czech-Gabonese Joint Chamber of Commerce, which operates in the country, several sectors were identified in which the Czech side perceives great potential and Czech added value for this country in the heart of Africa. There is interest in the health sector, petrochemicals, transport and aviation, infrastructure projects, agriculture, forestry, cooperation in the field of ecology and environmental protection, as well as in the defence and security industry.
Special Economic Zone Nkok
The demand of both the Gabonese and the Czech side was matched by the composition of the meeting of Deputy Prime Minister Marian Jurečka. He met with eight key ministers: the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Petroleum, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Economy. At the end of his tour, he had the honour of being received by the President of the Transitional Government, H.E. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. During the meetings, the Gabonese side repeatedly indicated its interest in cooperation with Czech investors and potential suppliers of products and technologies in the aforementioned sectors.
Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Petrol
The Chamber of Commerce of Gabon and the National Investment Promotion Agency of Gabon expressed a similar need and were actively involved in the preparation of the Multisectoral Business Forum organised on behalf of the Czech side by the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic. The Deputy Prime Minister inaugurated the Forum together with the Deputy Prime Minister of Gabon, Mr. Alexandre Barro Chambrier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Régis Onanga Ndyaie.
National Investment Promotion Agency of Gabon at Business Forum
The forum was attended by Gabonese companies and representatives of key ministries, including the petrochemical sector. Czech companies present at the mission took advantage of the opportunity to present themselves before the plenary and the subsequent B2B and B2G meetings. They introduced the Gabonese to the diversity of the current Czech industry mix. The roundtables were rounded off with a cocktail lunch, which offered participants a space to freely discuss, exchange contacts and establish long-term business ties.
Czech Business Delegation
Marie Nwanyanwu, Economic Diplomat, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Abuja
