22.07.2021
The Council of Ministers is considering the temporary suspension of the export of timber to the DRC. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mrs. Eve Bazaiba, has adopted in the Council of Ministers 10 urgent measures relating to forest management.
These 10 measures, grouped in two axes (climate change and carbon credit / forest management), are the following:
The 9th measure, which concerns the suspension of timber exports, regardless of the species and level of processing of the wood, raises many questions: when will the decree be issued and come into force? For how long will the export suspension last? How will the companies be able to respect the contracts signed with their customers? Will companies break their contracts for not meeting delivery deadlines? How can companies finance their activities without this source of income? What will happen to the companies with regard to their fiscal and social obligations?
This measure leads to many frictions and uncertainties for the companies, and in particular for the certified companies, which try to negotiate deadlines to be able to honor the signed contracts. To be continued in the next days and weeks.
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