New project promotes sustainable use of timber
 
Vientiane Times, November 23, 2009


Laos stands to benefit from a new initiative to increase exports of wood products without sacrificing its forests.
 
This will be made possible through the implementation of a newly established project that will help Lao timber processing companies to obtain raw materials from certified, well-managed forest areas to secure their production output.
 
The Lao Forest and Trade Platform project will help companies to identify best practices in using raw materials efficiently, for the sustainable use of forests into the future.
 
One of the most important aspects of the project is that it will enable exporters of wood products to access a niche market of consumers who support the global effort to protect forests worldwide. This is seen as essential to minimise the effects of climate change.
 
The project was launched on Thursday in Vientiane . It is run by the World Wide Fund for Nature's Global Forest and Trade Network and the Forest Trust Fund.
 
Funding for the project in Laos will come from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the United States Agency for International Development through the Responsible Asia Forest Programme.
 
According to a press release from the project, it will recruit timber processing companies in Laos as partners.
 
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Lao Forest Trade Platform, Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Nam Vinhaket said he was happy to welcome the project to Laos , adding that it was the government's policy to use forests sustainably.
 
He urged the project to recruit more partners in Laos , to encourage more companies to view the use of forest timber as a sustainable practice.
 
The project has already recruited two major wood products exporters - Lao Furniture Industry Company and Burapha Agro Forest Group. There are plans to add five more partners in 2010.
 
Lao Furniture Industry Company Managing Director, Mr Thongsavanh Souliyamath, said his business has already taken a step towards connecting with international markets thanks to support from the project.
 
“It is now time to transform business in Laos so that we are able to drive lasting growth for the benefit of the Lao people,” he said. Lao forests are now in a critical situation due to the increasing worldwide demand for wood products.
 
A few years ago the Lao government announced an end to the export of unprocessed and semi-processed timber products.
 
The government is now overhauling the timber processing industry as part of efforts to add value to exported products.