the gabonese government has created a new body to help the central african nation fight inflation and high commodity prices gabon prime minister alain claude biliebynze said the bodywhich was formed following the twodaylong national conference on the high cost of living comprises the government and actors in the chain representing consumers producers and distributors among the proposals that have been made there are some that can be implemented immediately and others that must be spread out mr biliebynze told staterun radio television national rtg on thursday in gabon basic commodities such as housing transportation rice palm oil chicken beef port and table oil among others sell for prices at least 30 higher than neighboring countries in the central african subregion we will all work together and every unit has to put its utmost effort to help us get a longterm solution mr biliebynze said however the oildependent nation of around two million people imports at least 90 of goods consumed spending 2025 billion cfa francs about 34 million in 2021 according to government data traders price goods high because they buy them expensive if they buy cheaper they will sell cheaper djibril maganga nziengui the president of the national trade union told rtg earlier this year gabon president ali bongo ondimba appointed rene ndemezoo obiang as the countrys first minister of the fight against the high cost of living the government had also held consultations with stakeholders in late march before this weeks meeting there are a whole range of issues that need to be addressed to make life better in gabon mr obiang said