Last Modified: 2008/09/30

Topics: Forest Conservation

Author: Federico Lopez-Casero|2006/06|8p.|Publisher: IGES

Language: English|Publication Type: Paper|Copyright: IGES

Abstract:

IGES attended an international workshop on Trade in Wood Products in South-East Asia in Kuala Lumpur from 24-25 May. The workshop was organised within the Trans-Regional EU-ASEAN Trade Initiative (TREATI) framework, designed to enhance trade relations between ASEAN and the EU. On behalf of the Directorate General Trade of the European Commission, Savcor Indufor Oy, a forestry consultancy based in Finland, organised this workshop. According to the official invitation, the workshop's main objective was to facilitate access by ASEAN exporters to international markets for wood products by engaging ASEAN officials and key stakeholders in a dialogue on:
- ASEAN's roadmap for economic integration in the forest sector;
- Potential elements of regional co-operation between relevant authorities, including forestry, customs and law enforcement bodies;
- How to strengthen ASEAN competitiveness in sustainable wood-based products and tackle trade in illegally harvested timber;
- Regional cooperation between bodies dealing with traceability and certification of timber/ wood-based products to ensure the sustainability and legality of origin of such products;
- Regional and intraregional trends in timber supply and demand;
- How to gain stakeholder input and support for these activities, particularly from business; and
- How to improve contacts between officials and stakeholders on both sides and develop an expert dialogue.

At the workshop, IGES was able to:
1. Gather up-to-date information on timber trade flows and routes in the Asia-Pacific region;
2. Estimate the potential of ASEAN to provide a suitable regional framework to guide the development of timber trade and to curb trade in illegal wood and wood products;
3. Identify some legislative options in ASEAN countries to control trade in illegal wood products and the practical shortcomings when utilising these options;
4. Explore collaborative ways to build synergies between regional processes such as the AFP, EA-FLEG and ASEAN; and
5. Discuss with other participants the options of collaborative research on the practical steps needed to create and implement a regional cooperation framework to address the issues of illegal timber trade.

Mr. Gijs Berend, European Commission, gave the welcoming address, highlighting the significance of green wood procurement policies introduced by some EU governments and of the voluntary codes of conduct set by private sector organisations in the EU. The Malaysian Senator, Dr. Vijaratnam Seevaratnam, gave the opening address, emphasising the purpose of TREATI - namely to enhance trade relations between both partners.

Fourteen presentations were given in a total of six sessions during both days.

Keywords:

EU, WOOD PRODUCT TRADE, ASEAN

Download: