Gabonese Republic is
aiming to turn Gabon into a world leader in certified tropical timber
production through an industrial strategy aimed at sustainably managing timber
stocks and by promoting secondary and tertiary processing.
Forestry is, and will remain, one of the pillars of Gabon’s
economic and social development. The private sector has become a major driver
of industrial forest development and the export of forest products. Gabonese
Republic has introduced a system to institutionalize community forestry as a
way of meeting local needs for timber and other forest products. Gabon has a
low deforestation rate, forests rich in valuable timber species and among the
best prospects for a healthy and sustainable forest industry. Reforestation has
been continuously promoted, and selective thinning and clearing have prevented
the over exploitation. Over 50 firms are engaged in exploitation of Gabon’s
forests. Forest concessions covering about 12 million hectares have been
granted by the Gabonese Republic. The timber industry is already the largest
private sector employer, employing 28% of the working population, and
represents an extremely significant growth potential.
Padouck Coffee Table
Species
Timber Species… the Red Gold from Gabon
Gabon’s forests offers enormous possibilities with a logging
potential of 12.5 million hectares with more than 400 species.Until 2010 i.e.
before ban on export of raw logs, Gabon was the largest exporter of raw wood in
the region, and its sales represent 20% of Africa’s raw wood exports.Gabon’s
reserves of exploitable timber is estimated to upwards of 400 million CBM which
includes 130 million CBM of Okoumé, 15-25 million CBM of Azobé and 10-20
million CBM of Padouk.
Commercial forest harvesting in Gabon began as early as
1892, but only in 1913 was Okoumé, Gabon’s most valuable wood, introduced to
the international market. Gabon supplies 90% of the world’s Okoumé, known
worldwide for the production of plywood.Its attractive appearance means that it
is often used decoratively as the top surface veneer in panelling and furniture
or, in solid form in luxury items such as boxes for cigars or other high value
items (e.g. audio equipment). Physical and mechanical properties: Widely
recognised as one the world’s best materials for rotary cut veneers, Okoumé
timber is easy to work and is as suitable for the manufacturing of furniture as
for interior joinery. Moreover, it is a species of a very even colour, good
bonding performances and good compatibility with finished products.
Hardwood Species like Sapelli, Sipo, Acajou, Andoung,
Gheombi from Gabon are Pinkish Red to Brownish in colour and are similar to
Genuine Mahogany (Swieteniamacrophylla) in terms of colour, appearance and density.
These timber species could very well serve as an alternative for Mahogany as it
is listed in CITES Appendix II. These species are suited for luxury and high
end furniture and joinery. This is the reason for their high demand in Europe
and USA due to its colour perception. They are exported in high volume to
China, Vietnam and Malaysia, as they are the biggest manufacturers and
exporters of furniture to developed countries.
Wenge is the premier dark hardwood from the forests of Gabon
and suitable for contemporary interiors as it blends quite well with glass and
stainless steel. Due to its dark colour, it is well suited for straight/clean
line furniture and is quite popular in Europe.
Gabon supplies 90% of
the world’s Okoumé, known in Europe and America for the production of veneer
& plywood. Its demand is also picking up in Asia especially India and
China.
Iroko, Beli, Tali and Okan species can be considered as
alternative species to provide teak like finish. These species are quite
popular in Asia and Middle East for furniture and joinery. Tali and Okan are
extensively used in furniture manufacturing in Vietnam, mainly for export and
has helped Vietnam to become second largest exporter of furniture after China.
Furniture made out of these species is very popular in Asian and American
markets.
Kevazingo Live Edge
Light colour tropical wood species from Gabon includes
Izombe, Movingui and Bilinga. These species have appearance similar to Merbau /
Kwila and are suitable for furniture as well as joinery and interiors.
Kevazingo (Guibourtia Spp.) is the most expensive and
coveted wood species from the forests of Gabon. Trunk diameter of 150 cm is
quite common for Kevazingo. Live-edge table tops made from it is in high demand
in China because of its natural beauty and its coherence with customs and
beliefs of Chinese community world over.
Padouck is a dark coloured redwood found in Gabon; quite
similar to Rosewood and suitable for outdoor furniture as well as joinery.
Outdoor flooring, decking and garden furniture made out of it is exported to
European markets. It is resistant to damage from weather elements. Padouck is
also very popular in southern part of India due to its red colour and high
density. Door and door frames made from Padouck are very popular in the Asian
markets.
Gabon … change just begun
In last decade, African countries have promoted the idea of
processing of natural resources within their countries itself so as to generate
jobs and give boost to their economy. Following the same ideology, Gabonese
Republic also banned exports of raw logs in 2010. Thereafter, in order to
facilitate the secondary and tertiary processing of timber and other natural
resources within the country, Gabonese Republic has embarked on a journey to
provide amenable ecosystem and infrastructure. In the same pursuit, Gabonese
Republic developed 1126 hectares SEZ at Nkok in partnership with Olam
International, Singapore to provide ready and reliable infrastructure. Gabon
SEZ offers an array fiscal incentives to industrial investors which includes
complete exemption from all taxes (income tax, corporate tax, capital gain,
MAT, VAT, customs, Property Tax), reduced rate of export duty (0-2%) and
permission for 100% repatriation of profits.
Gabon Wood Hub… First Furniture Manufacturing Cluster in
Central Africa
Nkok SEZ also has 60,000 square meters of ready to use sheds
as Furniture Manufacturing Cluster to promote manufacturing of finished
products i.e. furniture in Gabon. Shed are provided on rental model in module
of 500 square meters to furniture manufacturers intending to start their unit
in Furniture Manufacturing Cluster. The cluster also offers common facilities
like:
Kiln Drying:
Dedicated 1000 cubic meter per month capacity Kiln Drying has been installed to
serve furniture manufacturing units.
Show Room: A show
room spread over 9000 square meters to showcase furniture manufactured in the
cluster.
Packaging and
Logistics: 2000 square meters packaging and 4000 square meters logistics
facility within cluster for customs clearance.
As of now, there are
ten units working from this cluster. The quality of raw material i.e. wood
available and huge variety of wood species found in Gabon is a unique
opportunity for any furniture manufacturing unit. Matured wood of any size, any
length is available in good quantity on sustainable basis. Furniture Units are
starting manufacturing of upscale furniture for customers in Asian, European
and USA markets. Furniture majors like Wolf Mobile [Germany], Artemano [Canada],
Terry [USA], Williams-Sonoma [USA], Habufa [Netherland] etc. have expressed
their interest to buy furniture manufactured from sustainably harvested wood
available in Africa.
Solid wood furniture made from various wood species like
Beli, Tali, Sapeli, Mouvingui, Wenge, Padouck and Kevazingo is of pertinent
interest to many furniture majors.Moreover, major import houses in USA and
Europe have taken a resolution to source minimum 30% of furniture done with SFM
compliant / FSC certified wood by 2020 and this SFM compliant / FSC certified wood
with genuine Traceability and Legality certificates is easily available in
Gabon.
For business
enquiries, please get in touch with team of GSEZ at gsez@olamnet.com
