Two consultation meetings in the areas of timber supplies and process and product quality in the wood processing sector were held on December 15 and 17, 2020 under the chair of the FLEGT Standing Office (FSO).
The consultation meetings are related to a market analysis, which is supported by GIZ project ‘Protection and Sustainable Use of Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity (ProFEB)’, together with the global project of GIZ ‘Forest Landscape Restoration and Good Governance in the Forest Sector (Forests for Future)’, aiming to remedy existing information deficits in the forestry and wood processing sector. The analysis is part of the support provided to the Government of Laos in negotiating a voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) with the EU on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT).
The market analysis aims to identify the needs and potentials of the wood processing sector and the development of a sustainable plantation sector. In addition, the analysis is intended to support government and private stakeholders, associations and companies in obtaining a solid basis for deciding on measures and activities for the further development of the forestry and wood processing sector.
The consultation on part I ‘Timber supply’, held on December 15, 2020, was attended by representatives from the Department of Forestry (DOF) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), the Faculty of Forest Science as well as relevant associations and companies.
Representatives from the relevant departments and divisions of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC), related associations and companies as well as the Faculty of Forest Science participated in part II ‘Process & Product quality’ of the consultation, which was held on December 17, 2020.
The consultation meetings, which mark the kick-off of the market analysis, served to receive feedback on the workplan and survey methodology. Another objective was to identify sources of data and information in the field of timber supplies and processing in Laos. As a next step data collection and analysis will be implemented, followed by another consultation of the stakeholder on the results. The market study will be completed by the end of June 2021.