Nathalie Marthe-Bismuth
General Manager
IGNFI
France

Biography
Chief engineer of bridges and roads with an MBA diploma from the HEC group, Nathalie Marthe-Bismuth is at the head of IGN France International since October 2007. She previously held the position of Sales Director for the French National Geographic Institute (IGN).

Abstract
National Geomatic Plan in Gabon: On-Going Progresses and Perspectives

Gabon is a country full of mineral and environmental resources. Geographic information is clearly shown to be an indispensable tool for the support of the Emerging Gabon national development strategy created by the President of the Republic. In this context, a National Geomatic Plan is to be implemented. In 2011, IGN France International was chosen by the Gabonese General directorate of Budget to conduct the preliminary study for the implementation a National Geomatic Plan in Gabon. In addition to this preliminary phase, 4 pilot projects were completed in relation with several strategic sectors in order to demonstrate the added value of a well-organized and shared geographic information. In 2013, IGN France International was selected in order to accompany Gabon in the NGP roll-out phase. This step initiated in January 2013 is still on progress. The presentation will focus on the main steps of these projects and will present its main achievements. Willing to avoid the most frequently encountered roadblocks, it will eventually address the main difficulties when implementing this kind of project. Among other difficulties, the following situations can be mentioned: lack of general background in the geomatic field, lack of up-to-date and reliable data, lack of long term vision, lack of data transmission, reluctancy to share the data.