Gabon to halt export of undressed timber in 2010

Nov 09, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The Gabonese government has decided to halt export of undressed timber as from 2010 and boost the value added products, an official communique said, as Bernama informed Lesprom Network. The decision was taken "for the benefit of transforming our local forest species in order to create more necessary riches to curb unemployment especially among our youth and export finished and semi-finished products that have undergone value addition," Gabon's cabinet as saying in the communique. According to the document, the measure should be accompanied with changes in light of nature conservation, including the revision of the forest code, especially article 227, and the redefinition of social objective of Gabon's National Wood Society (SNGB). The authorities will orient the customs and administrative facilities toward the standard of the international market. "The minister concerned with this issue has been instructed to fully implement this decision," the communique said. The wood sector is the second employer in the country after the public service. It brings in 12% of export revenues, helping to diversify Gabon's oil-based economy. However, the wood contribution to GDP still remains low at between 3% and 4%.