Guyana: No ban on log exports

The Guyana government says it will maintain its strict policy regarding the exportation of logs, acknowledging that there is an acute shortage of building materials on the local market.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud met with exporters on Monday to discuss issues relating to the inadequate supply of building materials and the recent hike in prices that have resulted in a number of overseas contracts being halted.

Persaud has instructed the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to explore avenues for increasing supplies to satisfy demand on the local market before products are exported.

Persaud said that while there is an acute shortage of building materials on the local market, there are still instances of low production by large conces-sionaires with timber sales agreement, or TSAs.

Data from GFC shows that 61 per cent of total production is currently being exported.

"People are sitting on concessions, and I'm not sure how we can manage our operations if we are sitting on this vital resource and not utilising it. The bulk of the production is being exported and then, if you go in terms of logs, most of it is going in this form. These are the realities that we have to deal with," he said.

Persaud said that while it is not the intention of government to stop the exportation of logs, it is also necessary to address the national needs to supply Guyana's ever-growing construction boom.

"We are very cognisant of the fact that contracts have been entered into and we do not want to do anything to jeopardise those commitments. Having said that, though, I would urge that good sense prevail whereby stakeholders can volunteer solutions on how is it we can improve output," he added.

Persaud said that while there is no ban on the export of log and lumber, he is encouraging dealers to make available information with regards to the quality and quantity of produce.

"Some of the technical issues will have to continue to be addressed jointly in this regard and the emphasis in terms of the lesser-used species, we have to continue to do much more work on, so as to take the pressure off."

Persaud said that while the government will in no way prohibit dealers who have concessions from exporting, however, persons who currently do not possess a concession but are in the business of exportation will be blocked from engaging in the trade until the issue is resolved.

"I think in this short-term arrangement we need to revert to that position, which would allow us to modify supplies to the market. This will be so until we have reviewed the situation and finalised the revised policy," he said.