Apr 12, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Tropical timber producer Rougier says its strategy of value creation will serve it well in the face of the recently announced log export ban in Gabon, as TTJ reported. Rougier, a major player in the Gabonese timber industry, with three facilities, said its expertise would help limit the impacts of the ban over the short term while capitalising in the medium term. The sale of logs harvested in 2009 for export has been authorised by the Gabonese government until the end of April. France-based Rougier has also announced net losses of Euro 15.5 million (2008: Euro 2 million) for 2009, from sales of Euro 124.7 million (2008: Euro 158.5 million). Despite the deepening of losses last year, the company said business had picked up in the 4Q 2009, pointing to a better level of sales in 2010 driven by dynamic demand in certain emerging countries and the reduction in the supply of tropical hardwoods.