Libreville September 8, 2011 - President of the Gabonese Republic Ali Bongo proceed Friday, September 9, 2011 at the official opening of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of NKOK, the largest free trade zone throughout West Africa and Central Africa.

A partnership signed in August 2010 between the Republic of Gabon and Olam International Limited, Singapore multinational global leader in distribution channels and supply of agricultural goods supplies, this 1126ha multisectoral area will be mainly dedicated to wood processing industries . On the initial cost of more than 200 million USD, the SEZ is expected to attract NKOK nearly 1.1 billion USD of foreign direct investment a year-the equivalent quarter of the annual budget of Gabon.

This highly formative economic project is in line with the strategic development of the "Emergent Gabon" implemented by President Ali Bongo since his election in August 2009 and aims both to diversify and industrialize the economy Gabon.