Decades old, bilateral relations between Gabon and Turkey are once again set to evolve. The subject was at the heart of the working session chaired Wednesday in Ankara by Mehmet Fatih Kacır, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, dedicated to his Gabonese counterpart and his colleagues. This meeting focused on the appropriation of Turkey’s industrialization model by the Gabonese side, explains the Ministry of Industry, which reports that during the meeting, five priority areas were identified as part of the strengthening of industrial cooperation desired by both parties.
With a view to building this new partnership, Libreville and Ankara are considering pooling their efforts in projects to set up a quality laboratory in Gabon and to create a first technology park. Turkey has also promised to support the operationalization of the technology incubator in Libreville and to subscribe to the transfer of technologies in order to enable the development of industrial zones in the country. Finally, Gabon should benefit from the support of the United Nations Technology Bank based in Istanbul for its laboratory dedicated to training young people in technical professions.
It must be said that Gabon has a lot to gain, especially since Turkey benefits from strong industrial potential. The country has 362 multi-sector industrial zones and 104 technology parks. However, the vision of the new authorities of Gabon imposes more than ever the local transformation of natural resources. Hence the creation of the industrial zone of Mandji Island and that of Mayumba, whose feasibility studies will begin in the coming months.
“This mission is part of a knowledge sharing exercise. The Gabonese side intends to benefit from Turkish know-how and to further immerse itself in the economic model of industrial zones ,” they say in Libreville.
Following the invitation made by François Mbongo Rafemo Bourdette, Mehmet Fatih Kacır said he was willing to make a trip to Libreville. Although the exact date is not yet known, it is already known that the Turkish minister will be accompanied by a delegation of industrialists who will come to explore the Gabonese market.
