EU Boost RI's Wood Exports to 50 Percent

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesia is prepared to sign the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the European Union in Brussels, Belgium, on September 30, forestry minister Zulkifli Hasan said here on Saturday.

He said he would leave for Belgium for the signing of the agreement on September 30.

"Once the VPA has been signed, Indonesian wood that enters the European Union will not have to undergo a due diligence process," he said, after delivering a lecture at Prof Dr. Buya Hamka University.

He noted that Indonesia's wood exports are expected to increase by almost 50 percent after the agreement is enacted.

The minister said, following the implementation of Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), that Indonesia is ready to enter the global market now that the legality of its exported timber has been verified and certified as being brought to market following a legal harvest.

Zulkifli said to assure the credibility of the SVLK, last year Indonesia used the system for the shipment of V-Legal certified timber to eight members of the European Union, and even Indonesia has now designed an evaluation mechanism for the system.

"With all the measures, I think it is very logical that Indonesia is ready to enter the global market, as all its timber comes from a legal harvest," he said. (*/DWA)