Summaries of economic data: Gabon

Abstract

The increase in crude petroleum production in 1973 could be as high as 1.65 million tons (the target output of Grandin Marine Offshore field); manganese are production is expected to reach 2 million tons (after 1,937,000 tons in 1972) and wood production should be higher stimulated by the buoyant world trading conditions. The 1973 budget estimates show total receipts and expenditure of 36,943 million francs CFA after 31,003 million in 1972. It is extremely likely Gabon's exports will show a further substantial rise in 1973 particularly as two increases were announced in the price of the two wood species Ckoume and Ozigo amounting to 30 per cent by July 1973. Manganese ore realizations in terms of CFA francs would be reduced however because of the devaluation of the US dollar. The increase in Gabon's exports could be of the order of 9,000 million CFA francs in 1973.