Africa-Press – Angola. The Angolan government wants to favor the creation of local industries for the exploration and treatment of raw wood, having as part of this strategy suspended the output of logs, blocks and semi-blocks, for a period of three years.
In that period (three years), operators in the sector will only have the authorization to export wood transformed into doors, windows and other finished products, according to the Minister of Agriculture, António Francisco de Assis.
The decision was approved this Thursday at the 1st Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, chaired by the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.
The measure aims to protect the environment, guarantee reforestation, stimulate the growth and expansion, in the country, of a strong, modern and dynamic forest-based industry.
Speaking to the press at the end of the Council of Ministers, António de Assis defended that Angola, similarly to what happens in other regions of the world, make a rational use of the forests, so that in this way a manufacturing industry, strong, dynamic, competitive and generator of jobs for young people and income for families.
“We have seen that, in recent times, there is an unbridled exploitation of our forests (…)”, said the government official.
With the approval of the diploma, and other actions underway, the Executive begins to turn the country into a place where logging and reforestation is carried out in a sustainable manner.
“What we intend, in this period of three years of suspension, is to circulate the wood within Angola and the manufacturable part, that yes, can be exported, but the exploration of the raw wood is suspended”, he reinforced, remembering that the raw wood from Angola goes abroad where there are factories and then returns to the country already transformed.
António de Assis called for operators to start cutting trees, but to process them internally, to make different furniture, so that the finished product can then be sent abroad.
According to the minister, what is happening yesterday in the country, in the field of forests, “is not feasible. It is not sustainable”, calling for everyone’s responsibility in order to leave a legacy for future generations.
Sixty days for operators
Within the framework of the new measures, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry reassured operators, noting that the diploma safeguards ongoing processes.
After the publication of the diploma in Diário da República, operators will have 60 days to resolve ongoing processes with entities linked to exports.
He added that at the end of the three years, the Executive will analyze whether there has been improvement or not and see how it can improve in this regard.
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