Escaping the Curse of Oil? The Case of Gabon

Author/Editor:

Ludvig Söderling

Publication Date:

May 1, 2002

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper studies the prospects for sustainable growth and economic development in Gabon, in the face of a severe decline in its main source of income and growth, i.e. oil. A simple Computable General Equilibrium model is used to simulate the development of the non-oil economy under various assumptions. The results of the simulations underline Gabon's dependence on foreign financing-especially private-and its vulnerability to variations in oil prices. The potential role of an income stabilization fund is also discussed.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2002/093

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

May 1, 2002

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451851663/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0932002

Pages:

36

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