ratic Party (PDG, former sole party), Jaques ADIAHENOT,
Secretary General; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks
(Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE, leader; Gabonese Party
for Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, President; National
Recovery Movement (Morena-Original), Pierre ZONGUE-NGUEMA, Chairman;
Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG), leader NA; Gabonese
Socialist Union (USG), leader NA; Circle for Renewal and Progress
(CRP), leader NA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), leader
NA; Rally of Democrats (RD), leader NA; Forces of Change for
Democratic Union, leader NA
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,
INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU,
OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA
chancery:
2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 797-1000
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph C. WILSON IV
embassy:
Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville
mailing address:
B. P. 4000, Libreville
telephone:
(241) 762003/4, or 743492
FAX:
[241] 745-507
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

@Gabon, Economy

Overview:
Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic problems, Gabon enjoys a
per capita income more than twice that of most nations of sub-Saharan
Africa. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was
discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts
for 50% of GNP. Real growth was feeble in 1992 and Gabon continues to
face weak prices for its timber, manganese, and uranium exports.
Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable rate of
population growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management.
In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed
to settled arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of
rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors.
Devaluation of the local currency by 50% in January 1994 could set off
an inflationary spiral if the government fails to reign in spending
and grants large wage increases to an already overpaid public sector
workforce.
National product:
GDP - purchasing