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4.96. Tourism activities in Gabon are regulated by, inter alia, (…); and Law No. 016/2001, Articles 209 to 219, on tourism activities in conservation areas. The authorities have indicated that a new Tourism Code is being drawn up.

4.97. Tourism is still in an embryonic phase of development in Gabon. Nevertheless, as part of the policy of economic diversification, efforts are being made to develop tourism activities. (...) The stated aim is to make tourism a tool for fighting poverty, fostering economic development in rural areas, and promoting the conservation and enhancement of the country's natural and cultural heritage.

Gabon aims to develop a high-quality tourism industry based on protection of nature, conservation of biodiversity , and respect for local traditions.

4.98. Many development plans, for example the Master Plan for Tourism Development (PDDT) and the Programme to Support the Development of Community-based Ecotourism (PADEC), are apparently in the process of being adopted. The subsector is still facing difficulties linked to the weakness of the hotel and transport infrastructure. A shortage of skilled labour (tourist guides in particular) further detracts from the country's attractiveness to tourists. Gabon has a hotel capacity of 2,707 rooms in 124 hotels.

The authorities are working to develop physical and social infrastructure and the necessary institutions to welcome as many tourists as possible in a way which is both respectful of the environmentand economically and socially sustainable.

4.99. Gabon offers opportunities for the development of tourism aimed at business travellers interested in the exploitation of its natural resources. There is also potential for leisure tourism and for ecotourism, thanks to the country's exceptional fauna and flora. In order to protect the latter and promote the development of ecotourism in Gabon, in 2002 the State created a network of 13 national parks and conservation areas covering 11.5 million hectares (11.25% of the territory). In return for fiscal and customs incentives received, tourism enterprises and firms participating exclusively in an approved project should undertake to give priority to recruiting Gabonese workers and to comply with environmental protection standards.

The Société de distribution d'eau centrafricaine – SODECA (Central African Water Supply Company) supplies drinking water to more than 23% of the population in nine towns: Bangui, Bimbo, Bambari, Berberati, Bossangoa, Bouar, Bozoum, Carnot, and Ndélé. The Ministry in charge of water resources ensures the supply of drinking water to 61% of the rural population. Finally, two additional projects are under way in the water resources management area: the Projet d'aménagement des ressources naturelles – PARN (Natural Resources Planning Project) and the Projet d'exploitation des eaux souterraines dans la région occidentale – PEESRO (Ground Water Exploitation Project in the Western Region).

Table 2.1 Principal trade-related laws and regulations, March 2013
Area / Instrument or text
Fauna / Order No. 84.045 of 27 July 1984 on the protection of wildlife and the regulation of hunting in the Central African Republic (under review);
Environment Law No. 07.018 of 28 December 2007 on the Environment Code;
Biofuels / Law No. 08.018 of 6 June 2008 on biofuels in the Central African Republic, creating the Biofuels Promotion Agency;

2.4 Investment regime
2.27. Some (national) provisions prescribe a tax reduction for companies that invest in human resource training or environmental protection. These companies can benefit from a 50% reduction of the costs incurred for the training or upgrading of technical personnel, and 25% of the costs for environmental protection. This advantage is limited to the three year exemption period.

2.29. The granting of approval is determined mainly on the basis of local added value: the minimum acceptable rate is 35%. The other criteria include the impacts of the investment in terms of job creation, advantages for the State, its contribution in terms of external funding, the trade balance, and the environmental impact. Between 2006 and 2012, some 50 companies have been approved under the Investment Charter with a projected total investment of CFAF 202.4 billion (Table 2.2).