Indonesia's panel wood association (Apkindo) predicted that the country's exports of timber would plunge by 50 per cent this year because of export restrictions imposed by the government. Apkindo chairman Abbas Adhar said the government regulation allowing only registered exporters to export timber products will result in a sharp fall in exports. Abbas said normally Apkindo members exported around US$$2 billion worth of plywood a year but these exports are likely to drop to only US$1 billion. Only several years before Indonesia was the largest supplier of plywood to the world market. The government has issued the new regulation in a bid to eliminate rampant illegal logging and smuggling. The forestry community association said the new regulation will not help reduce illegal logging and smuggling as the central government and regional administrations have made no strong commitment to stamp out illegal logging. Reports said deforestation continues at a faster rate because the central government has no more control over cash strapped regional administrations from issuing logging licenses to raise funds. Asia Pulse