03 March 2004 ---- The Philippines will explore trade  opportunities in Gabon, particularly with a view to  exporting local furniture to Gabon.  Foreign Affairs  Secretary Delia Domingo Albert made this statement  after H.E. Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet, non-resident  Ambassador of the Republic of Gabon called on the  Secretary on 24 February 2004 at the Department of  Foreign Affairs.

During the call, the Secretary accepted the  credentials and welcomed the appointment of Ambassador  Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet and discussed ways to improve  trade relations between the two countries. “I welcome  the appointment of Ambassador Issoze-Ngondet as the  non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Gabon to  the Philippines and look forward to a meaningful  bilateral relations with his country,” she said.

During the call, the Secretary underscored the important role of the private sector in enhancing  bilateral relations between the two countries. She recalled that the Philippines used to have an Embassy  in Libreville. “The Philippines should restore the old  level of bilateral relations with Gabon,” she said.   “In order to make our ties with Gabon more meaningful,  the private sector must identify business interests  and opportunities which can be explored for the mutual  benefit of the two countries,” she added.

For his part, Ambassador Issoze-Ngondet informed the  Secretary that the Gabonese Minister of Trade plans to  visit the Philippines. He also mentioned that Gabon  exports Okume timber to the Philippines. “Our trade  minister intends to look at the possibilities of  tie-up with local furniture manufacturers and  designers to help spur furniture exports to Gabon,” he  said.

The Secretary welcomed the plan and suggested that a  Philippine-Gabon Business Council be established  before the visit with the help of Gabon’s Honorary  Consul in the Philippines, Mr. Eduardo L. de Guzman.

On possible Philippine trade opportunities, Secretary  Albert offered the sale of jeepneys to Gabon, citing  the successful initiative of Ambassador Cabangon Chua  in Laos on this venture. She also said that Gabon  could serve as an alternate source of oil.

Ambassador Issoze-Ngondet is currently the Gabonese  Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. He had also  served as Consul to his country’s embassies in London,  Ottawa and Bonn.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Gabon  were established on 06 July 1976. The Philippines used  to have an Embassy in Libreville, but had to close due  to budgetary constraints. The Philippine Embassy in  Nigeria has administrative jurisdiction over Gabon.  END