ATIBT discusses competitiveness of African wood in domestic and EU markets

Kaynak:
Fordaq/ATIBT
İzlenme:
1500
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Unlike the ATIBT Forum in 2014 which was wide ranging and covered tropical timber trade trends globally, this year’s meeting focused more on linkages between African producers and European buyers.

Around 150 participants attended the meeting in Milan on 14-15 October drawn mainly from African governments and trade associations, European-owned tropical timber operators in Africa, and European importing companies, trade associations and other policy makers.

Consideration was given to the emerging role of Africa’s domestic tropical timber market, and how this will impact on future development of the industry. Discussion also focused on the role and impact of trade policy instruments such as the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs), and private sector forest certification.

An informative session on recent developments in Africa’s timber markets was introduced by Franck Chambrier of SIAG, the forestry operators association in Gabon. Mr Chambrier highlighted that while the level of commercial timber consumption in Africa is low compared to other parts of the world, this is likely to change in the future.

He noted that at current rates of growth, Africa will be home to more than one quarter of the world’s population before 2050. This combined with rising living standards is already driving a rapid increase in regional demand for building materials and furniture products.

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