Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 04, 2015 News
Loggers from the Upper Berbice area are facing tough times. They reportedly have a large stock on their hands.
A group of them met late Wednesday with Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman, to seek help.
Over recent years, residents of Kwakwani and the surrounding areas have been doing well, selling logs to especially Chinese companies like Baishanlin.
But reportedly, in the last few months, exports have been reduced significantly amidst problems with China’s economy which have affected its manufacturing centers.
With little processing in Guyana, loggers have been heavily dependent on exports to exist.
According to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday, Government has given a strong commitment to work with the relevant state agencies and all other stakeholders, to address the issues affecting the small loggers of Region Ten.
Trotman also has responsibilities for the Natural Resources Sector.
Reporting on the meeting, the minister told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that the group consisted of representatives from 14 different logging associations in Region Ten, and several individual loggers. Among the major concerns raised was access to lands for logging purpose.
“They are concerned about an obvious downturn in the global economy. A lot of logs were going to China and Asia and there has been a downturn (there), so they have a lot of stock in hand. They want to know what concessions if any, Government can give,” Trotman disclosed.
Among the concerns raised were that large logging companies were crowding the local loggers out of the market; the impassable state roads and fuel prices.
Trotman, describing the meeting as “a very good” one, said that the representatives have pledged their support to the new Government but “they have also put us on notice that it is not a blanket support–they expect that we would perform in their interest.”
He said that some of their concerns will be addressed through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) with new regulations and practices in place. These include usage of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for which the representatives requested training.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be addressing the deplorable state of the roads used by the loggers.
“I do plan a visit to Region Ten later (this month), and I would insist that Minister David Patterson go along, because the state of the road is very critical. Much of the cost of production or getting the logs to market has to do with transportation and the bad state of the road … So hopefully the trip can involve Minister Patterson and some others, where we can bring some immediate relief. The Minister can see for himself what the needs are,” he stated.
Addressing the issue of possible tax concessions, Minister Trotman explained that he would have to seek the permission of Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who in turn has to get Cabinet approval.
With regard to reviewing the tax concessions granted already to existing companies, the Minister explained, “I do not want us to get into the mood of being anti-investment or anti-foreigner…We are going to ensure that the playing field will be level… It must be the same for the foreigners as well as for the local small loggers, these are things we are working on with the GFC.”
According to the Government statement, the intention of the administration is also to ensure that those large companies that have been granted concessions, that they are working them and doing that in a proper manner, respecting the country’s laws and regulations, the Minister said.
“We want to ensure that they are keeping to their agreement at the end of the day, so there is value added… if they can’t, then we will look at taking them away, but we don’t want to start off by saying we are going to be taking anything away, that’s not in our interest.”
The Minister made it clear that Guyana was intent on maintaining good relations with Norway, as this is critical for the development of the forestry sector.
In November 2009, Guyana signed a five-year agreement with Norway that could see up to US$250M being paid to ensure the forest remains intact, once certain performance indicators are met.
In the country’s efforts to promote and improve its value added products, “we have to maintain our good relations with Norway; we have to maintain that Guyana has a product…That is, lumber or logs that can be harvested… We have got to ensure that there is value added products.”
Guyana wants to extend the Norway agreement.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
SportsMax – West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews delivered a stellar all-round performance to lead her team to a commanding 113-run victory over Pakistan Women in the first One Day...Kaieteur News – For years, the disciples of Bharrat Jagdeo have woven a narrative of economic success during his tenure... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]