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BOLIVIA LIDER IN FOREST
MANAGEMENT
VOLUNTARY FORESTRY CERTIFICATION
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WWF: FORESTRY CERTIFICATION IS A “GIFT
TO THE EARTH”
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Ing. Roger Landivar Vaca Diez
WWF Director in Bolivia
“The Gift to the Earth was created by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) for
international recognition of governments, organizations, institutions
and individuals who had performed actions of enough value to be
considered a gift to humanity, to the earth,” explained WWF Director in
Bolivia, Eng. Roger Landívar Vaca Diez.
“All around the world, the WWF identifies actions that merit the title
of a ‘gift to the earth.’ The Bolivian Chamber of Forestry was
recognized for the forestry sector's actions in Bolivia, undertaking and
supporting the Voluntary Forestry Certification since the beginning. In
2002, Bolivia reached the world's highest index of certified forestry
areas, with 1 million ha, and maintains this world leadership today,
with 1.5 million ha. It was a good moment for this,” the WWF Director
added.
“Gift to the Earth” also promotes events internationally. Voluntary
Forestry Certification in Bolivia was one of those events, in the search
for recognition of Bolivia’s great advances in forestry.
Two “Gift to the Earth” awards were given in Bolivia. One of them went
to the Pantanal, for an action with important preservation and
sustainability. The second prize granted was for the Bolivian Chamber of
Forestry, rewarding the million hectares certified in the protection of
Bolivia's environment and forests. At that time (2002), seventy-six
awards had been given all over the world; and more than eighty “Gifts”
have been granted to date.
Wwf was part of the voluntary forestry certification plans
Wwf has supported voluntary forestry certification for more than 10
years.
“Lessons emerged during the implementation of certification, revealing
that successes and disadvantages must be adjusted to reality.
“In its beginning (of Forestry Certification), there was a firm belief
worldwide that the certified products would have a higher price. In most
cases this did not happen, because these products compete with non
certified products. And the opening of new markets was an unforeseen
advantage.
“One of the most interesting values for Bolivia’s forestry sector is not
receiving a higher price, but entering new markets and countries. This
did not occur before the certification seal: Bolivian products were
unknown, either because the country is small, or because they saw us as
writing riskier contracts, compared to more stable countries,” explained
Eng. Landívar.
The most recent trend in forestry certification is increasing
consumption of certified woods. “The percentage of certified products
and wood consumed is still growing,” Landívar stated. WWF Bolivia,
together with institution partners, has made Bolivia's certified
products known internationally.
The WWF is working on forestry certification in the Latin American
region and in Bolivia, supported, together with other institutions, the
TCO Yuqui-CIRI for its certification. There was also support to the
Santa Mónica de Monteverde community, to small producers of the Guarayos
area. Several CFV initiatives are being negotiated. In this project, the
WWF financed the appraisers' costs, and provided training. The same
thing was done in Brazil, Mexico, Honduras and Ecuador.
Eng. Landívar added that the WWF is negotiating for funds to implement
projects to change some of Bolivia’s consumption patterns. “It’s
important that, through the government, the consumption of certified
products be defined. It is not just to promote certified Bolivian
products abroad. Legal and certified wood should also be consumed in the
internal market, and we will guide efforts in that direction.” These
projects are expected to be executed next year.
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SWEDEN BETS ON VOLUNTARY FORESTRY CERTIFICATION IN
BOLIVIA
RUDY AMPUERO. SWEDISH AGENCY OF INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION
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The Swedish Agency of International Cooperation
(ASDI) has been supporting voluntary forestry certification for some
years, with concrete actions such as support to the creation of the
Bolivian Chamber of Forestry Certification Fund, planned to be in
operation this year. The fund was initially supported with $50 thousand
– and, in 10 years this is expected to reach more than $250 thousand,
through the recovery of money lent to the Industrial Services Center (ISC)
(which is also supported by ASDI). The ISC provides technical forestry
services.
Likewise, ASDI is supporting the Forestry Superintendence, which is
Bolivia’s regulating organ, and which also acts in benefit of Forestry
Certification. This is the “Project of Forestry Re-engineering” (PRINS)
oriented to improve the efficiency of this institution. Support is $1.3
million, and will continue until 2005.
Voluntary forestry certification generates a high degree of awareness in
sustainable management of forests and care of the environment.
This initiative aids sustainable development in general, and the
following step needed will be improved infrastructure in the country as
an incentive to the forestry sector's development.
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BOLFOR PROMOTES CERTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY FORESTRY
ROBERTO QUEVEDO S, MSC, FORESTRY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST, BOLFOR II/TNC
PROJECT
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In order to maintain the country’s leadership
in forestry certification and management, the BOLFOR II PROJECT, which
promotes sustainable forestry development with the support of USAID and
the Bolivian government, is working along with CADEFOR and the Bolivian
Council for Voluntary Forestry Certification (CFV), in applying other
options for forestry certification, directed toward Local Social Groups
(ASL) and Native Community Lands (TCO).
The proposals include Group Certification and the Regency of Resources.
These mechanisms have been implemented in countries such as Guatemala
and Costa Rica, with good results for both the communities and the
forests. The application seeks to incorporate the certification
processes, more actors of the forestry community, with flexible costs
mechanisms, by extending self-control and better fixing forestry
management goals within the community.
The Group Certification is planned to overcome problems of cost,
administration and capacities of forestry use, the implementation of
standards for certification, etc.
The creation of Resources Regents to reduce certification costs in
forestry management units provides an option to participate in
certification.
The BOLFOR II PROJECT is working (through CADEFOR) on improving
operating activities, including the scheduling, planned use and
commercialization of raw material, and through the ASL and TCO to obtain
a good qualification, in the first evaluation (or scoping), and to begin
certification.
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SF SEEKS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH SOCIAL EQUITY AND
SUSTAINABILITY
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Forestry certification has been applied in
Bolivia for more than 6 years, seeking sustainability of natural
resources based on three elements: ecological, economic and social. “The
ideal vision of a country always converges in the search for economic
development, with social equity and ecological sustainability. To
achieve it, many countries have laws imposing rules of command and
control, rather than promoting market mechanisms,” affirmed Forestry
Superintendent Eng. Francisco Kempff Saucedo.
“Forestry Law 1700 and the Forestry Superintendence promote voluntary
Forestry Certification, and will continue promoting it, so that it
becomes a market mechanism, and thus create real preservation of
Bolivian forests,” added Eng. Kempff.
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BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARY FORESTRY CERTIFICATION
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Forestry certification is part of the vision in
the search for economic development with social justice and ecological
sustainability.
The four main benefits of voluntary forestry certification mentioned by
the Forestry Superintendence are:
1. It is a good starting point to financially develop more
successful companies: when incorporating mechanisms like the Chain of
Custody, a certified company has greater control over its costs and
efficiency, derived from better planning of activities, and production
follow-up.
2. It strengthens managerial values as social values: a more
equitable treatment of labor is observed in the certified companies,
where labor relations policies and procedures are designed with the
industrial community and those surrounding the area under forestry
management. This becomes a valuable win-win relationship.
On one hand, the company wins by the communities viewing its activity as
legitimate, and on the other, the communities win by receiving direct
benefits from the company, in jobs and in environmental preservation.
In this case, the company becomes the best ally of the communities and
workers, adding long-term sustainability. Thus, we can stress that
recognition of legitimate managerial activity by the communities and
municipalities is the first step in the search for the so-desired legal
security in forestry.
3. It strengthens forest preservation: a certified company
fulfills the Forestry Law, and implements advanced management in
addition to the preservation objectives in Bolivia's technical norms.
4. The state's costs for regulation and control decrease: the
certified companies being organized units, their market value is
supported in sustainable management. In business terms, it is more
expensive for the company to violate some environmental norm and be
punished by the market than to do so and receive a sanction from the
state.
“These four points should interest the state,” said the Superintendent.
“Forestry certification becomes a tool to lessen public expense. If all
forestry businessmen go to forestry certification, our companies will be
more competitive.
“If a country’s competitiveness is measured by the sum of the various
companies' competitiveness, we will have made Bolivia competitive within
the framework of economic development, with social justness and
ecological sustainability in the forestry sector,” said Bolivia's
Forestry Superintendent.
www.sforestal.gov.bo
sforestal@sforestal.gov.bo
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BOLIVIAN CHAMBER OF FORESTRY CREATED FUND FOR
CERTIFICATION
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“The Bolivian Chamber of Forestry (CFB) created
a fund to support voluntary forestry certification to benefit all
forestry operators who want to be certified. These include: Local Social
Groups, Native Community Lands, Concessions and Private Properties,”
said the CFB Legal and Environmental Department Head, Attorney Jorge E.
Ávila.
“The idea of promoting Bolivia's forestry certification was conceived
not only as an instrument for proper forest management; but as an
element of competitiveness for the country's timber and lumber
businessmen, offering them a competitive advantage, as our country has
great competitive disadvantages as compared to the forestry sectors of
Peru, Brazil and others,” added Ávila.
For this, the Swedish International Cooperation Agency (ASDI) provided
$50 thousand in “seed money” to create this certification fund. Later,
through another of its cooperation projects with the forestry industry,
such as the Industrial Services Center, more than $250 thousand will be
received for this over the next 8 years.
The fund is governed by an autonomous board. Three of its directors are
named by the board of the Bolivian Chamber of Forestry, and have the
power to invite other institutions or people related to certification.
The people or institutions that donate resources to the fund for
voluntary forestry certification can also be part of the board. The fund
has administrative and accounting autonomy, which makes it independent
and transparent.
Economic support is non-refundable. It covers 100% of the “scoping”
(diagnosis of recognition for forest certification) and up to 50% of the
certification operation. This year, these funds will be operated through
the Bolivian Chamber of Forestry for all companies that want to certify
their forestry operation.
camaraforestal@cfb.org.bo
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FORESTRY CERTIFICATION IN THE CHIQUITANO FORESTS
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Sustainable Forestry Management and Support to
Forestry Certification are part of the ten lines of action of the Plan
for Preservation and Sustainable Development for the Bolivian Chiquitano
Dry Forest, Cerrado and Pantanal—the planning instrument of the
Foundation for the Preservation of the Chiquitano Forest (FCBC).
Since 2002, the FCBC has been supporting projects to reach Certification
of Forestry Management in concessions and Certification in the Chain of
Custody for handicraft workshops. It gives economic support to cover
part of the forestry certification costs.
The projects completed to date with these benefits are:
- Cimal/IMR Ltda. (former Marabol concession), in the San Miguel of
Velasco Municipality; which received FCBC financing to meet the
requirements of the Forestry Certification standards.
- Talleres Artesanales Hnos. Guasase, in the San Ignacio Municipality,
and Taller Bolivia in the San Miguel Municipality—both in Velasco
Province—also received Certification in the Chain of Custody. The
artisans in the region requested technical assistance, training in
forestry certification, production and sale of certified products.
The FCBC supported 60% of the cost of the Annual Audit for Certification
in Chain of Custody. This audit verifies how well these workshops meet
the standards of the Chain of Custody Certification.
There are plans to finance Forestry Management Certification projects in
concessions of the Pontons and San José sawmills.
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VOLUNTARY FORESTRY CERTIFICATION
FSC CERTIFIES FORESTRY MANAGEMENT
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The Forestry Management Council (FSC) promotes
environmentally-responsible, socially-beneficial and economically-viable
management of forests around the world. This international non-profit
organization has developed a system to identify and label products
coming from well managed forests.
Responsible forestry management means the forests are used protecting
the waters and soils, and flora and fauna. It means that the communities,
native people, forestry workers, industry and forestry producers apply
the norms on how the forests should be managed. It also means that
people can continue living, working and obtaining income from the
forests.
In 1993, the FSC was established as the first independent world system
to label forestry products. Currently, more than 43 million ha of
forests have already been certified under FSC procedures. The body has
an active presence in 66 countries on 5 continents.
The FSC's principle is to help people conjointly define and support
responsible forestry management in their countries.
FSC Principles
The FSC developed 10 principles or rules that define responsible
forestry management. These are global, and can be applied to all forests
around the world:
1. Observing national laws and FSC principles
2. Observing rights and responsibilities of tenancy and use
3. Observing rights of native people
4. Observing communal relations and workers' rights
5. Recognizing benefits from the forest
6. Minimizing environmental impact
7. Creating and implementing a management plan
8. Monitoring and evaluation
9. Maintenance of forests with high preservation value
10. Planting
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CERTIFICATION GUARANTEES ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY
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“Voluntary forestry certification is used to
evaluate and validate the forestry management practices and the products
from the forest. It certifies that the use of forests is sustainable,
maintaining long-term productivity, protecting biodiversity, and also
providing a continuous flow of economic and social benefits,” according
to the Bolivian Council for Voluntary Forestry Certification (CFV) head,
Attorney Henry Moreno Sanjines.
The certification of products from managed forests, or “certification of
the Chain of Custody,” is another form of assuring that nationally- and
internationally- recognized and accepted standards are being met. These
standards combine Principles and Approaches developed by the Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC). Its representative in Bolivia is the Bolivian
Council for Voluntary Forestry Certification (CFV).
“Utilizing the forest by applying good forestry management strongly
reduces the negative impacts of use on the health and structure of
natural tropical forests,” stated Attorney Moreno.
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BOLIVIAN EXPERIENCE IN FORESTRY CERTIFICATION
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Voluntary forestry certification in Bolivia has
become a very important marketing tool, and a decisive factor when
analyzing the viability and sustainability of forestry businesses and/or
projects with long-term projections.
Certification offers several opportunities and benefits for Bolivian
forestry producers. However, use of these opportunities is the
responsibility of each certified operator (company, Native Community
Land (TCO), or Local Social Group (ASL)), and the conditions that the
Bolivian state offers for it.
The main benefits that certification provides are: access to new markets,
and maintenance of current ones; greater possibilities of bringing new
species and products to the markets, access to markets with demanding
environmental norms, establishing long-term businesses and--in some
cases--better prices.
It also offers greater opportunities for access to financing sources,
incentives and new investments. One of the indirect benefits that a
certified company can obtain is being able to distinguish itself and
receive greater credibility in the social and environmental sectors. In
addition, there are considerably lower production costs because of
greater efficiency.
Email: cfvbol@scbbs-bo.com
Website:
www.consejoforestal.org.bo
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BOLIVIA: N°1 IN WORLD FORESTRY
CERTIFICATION!
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Of the 24 countries that have certified
tropical forests, with an approximate total surface of 4.5 million ha,
Bolivia has the largest area, with 1.5 million ha., or 33% of the total.
It thus has the world’s largest area of tropical forests certified under
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system.
Forestry certification--which is voluntary--means that the forests with
this seal are managed responsibly, will be preserved over time, and will
therefore continue performing their ecological, social and environmental
functions.
Brazil is in second place. It has 1.3 million ha of tropical forests or
28% (recent WWF and FSC data), followed by Guatemala with 455 thousand
ha and 10% of the total area. Bolivia plus these two countries jointly
have more than 70% of the total area of this type of forest certified
under the FSC system.
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BOLIVIA: PIONEER IN IMPLEMENTING THE FSC
SCHEME
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Colombian Engineer Daniel Arancibia is the
Latin American Regional Representative for the Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC). FSC home offices are in Germany. This international
organization has developed an identification and labeling system for
products that come from properly managed forests. It is one of the
organizations in charge of accrediting certification entities, which are
responsible for visiting the forests and the industries, perform
inspections and issue the FSC certificates.
What is Bolivia’s position internationally in forestry certification,
and how does this influence our country?
“Bolivia leads in the certification of tropical natural forest, with 1.5
million ha. It is also a pioneer country in implementing a voluntary
scheme of global scope such as the FSC. Certification is well-known in
most of the forestry sector, and we hope it has been one of the sector's
elements of change and modernization, together with Forestry Law 1700 of
1997. Certification contribution is not only in monetary terms (certified
exports in 2002 were 15.22% of total forestry exports, and 22.58% of
wood products), but also in terms of the visibility and prestige as a
country that is responsibly managing its forests.”
Which are the main countries promoting purchase of certified wood?
“Demand for certified products is concentrated in the markets of
developed countries that are environmentally sensitive, especially in
Europe and North America. However, precise statistical and trade data to
trace the flow of certified wood products don't exist at this time. In
the FSC's experience, the most important markets are the United Kingdom,
Germany and the Low Countries. Other growing markets are the United
States, the Russian Federation, China and Scandinavia. Some examples:
the United Kingdom has 338 companies that have certified their Chain of
Custody (CoC). Between the purchase policies of retailers and of the
private sector, there is a market of more than $1 billion, and another
£12 million in railroad ties. In the United States, there are 400 CoC
certificates, with a market of more than $350 million in 2002. Japan has
CoC Certificates: the sales manager for Mitsukoshi Ltd. said buyers seem
more interested in FSC products than in the others for sale.”
What is the situation of the market for certified products?
“The certified products market has had considerable growth in recent
years. At this time, 43.2 million ha are certified under the FSC norms
worldwide (4.8 million ha in Latin America); and 3,136 certificates of
Chain of Custody in 66 countries have been issued. While the offer of
certified forestry products has grown along with the certified area—calculated
at almost 300 million m3 annually—only part of all that wood coming from
certified forests is truly sold as certified product (labeled) in the
market. One of the most difficult problems (particularly for tropical
wood) is to find viable markets and a stable offer throughout all the
Chain of Custody.”
Are there state policies in the countries that promote the purchase
of certified wood?
“The situation is very dynamic just now: the policies are affecting the
markets positively, and the markets are influencing the definition of
new policies. There are a variety of ways in which the purchase of
forestry products can be influenced by public policies: Forestry Laws,
Purchase Policies for some national, regional and local governments,
Climatic Change Policies (e.g. Kyoto Protocol) could have some
significant consequences for the long-term wood supply, and for the
position in the forestry products market. Trade policies, such as the
elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers, and new relationships
between commercial and environmental policies, could considerably
influence the trade pattern for forestry products, policies to promote
wood energy tend to sustain renewable energy sources (such as forests),
and voluntary bilateral agreements between countries, where both parties
cooperate and try to combat illegal trade.”
Are there countries that demand certification?
“The participation of governments in sustainable forest management, and
in the certification, is much more prominent in the industrialized
countries, although there has been a growing focus on biodiversity
preservation, mitigation of the climate change (carbon dioxide capture),
protection of potable water, and elimination of illegal felling and
deforestation.”
What impact has certification had on certified wood demand?
“Although there isn’t enough official or statistical data to estimate
the market quota of the FSC-certified products through regions or lines
of products, studies of the U.S. and European markets have indicated a
niche for certified products ranging from 3% to 20% of total sales.
There is a great range of FSC-certified products, such as paper, garden
furniture, pulp and wood for construction. The FSC materials exported
from Latin America go mainly to Europe and North America, and part (primary
products) goes to Asia.”
Web site: www.fsc.org
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FORESTRY CERTIFICATION IN BOLIVIA
FORESTRY MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS CERTIFIED IN BOLIVIA ARE THE WORLD'S
LARGEST
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Operations certified in Bolivia for good
Forestry Management and Chain of Custody are almost 1.5 million ha of
forest—the world's largest
Bolivia's Certified Forestry Management operations are the world's
largest
Bolivia currently has 1.5 million ha of certified forests, putting it in
first place worldwide among the countries with tropical forests. This
implies that these areas are being used under responsible sustainable
forestry management, which in turn means that these natural resources
will be permanent, and additionally meeting their economic, social and
environmental functions.
Bolivia has a total of 13 certified operations, 11 of which are
concessions, 1 private property, and 1 Native Community Land.
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HOLLAND SUPPORTS CERTIFICATION
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The pillars of Voluntary Forestry Certification
are the social, environmental and economic aspects. The purpose of this
trilogy is to achieve a balance for the sustainable development of
forests.
The Dutch Service of Cooperation to Development-SNV-Bolivia, believes
certification is a valid strategy that guarantees Bolivia’s worldwide
competitiveness in the trade of forestry products. According to SNV
Forestry Advisor Bert Witteveen, “we must not lose sight of the main
objective--preserving the forests and promoting local development that
is economically sustainable, especially because we know that, in the end,
poverty is one of the most important underlying causes of deforestation.”
The state, together with the actors of civil society, especially the
forestry sector, have the responsibility of developing policies and
strategies that assure that forests are preserved in the long-term,
because of their environmental and productive importance. Part of this
responsibility consists in not only incorporating social standards in
commercial forestry operations for the personnel and affected population,
but also promoting and facilitating full participation of the
communities that manage their own forests, so that they can certify and
have access to the market.
The SNV supported the preparation of national standards for
certification of the Brazil nut, and it is also supporting the
sustainable management of community forests in Lomerío and Guarayos. The
concern is that, so far, the number of certified community forestry
operations is small.
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WHERE DO THE WOOD PRODUCTS WE CONSUME COME FROM?
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As wood is a renewable good, a system was
designed to encourage suitable ecological and human practices in the use
of forests, assuring their survival, quality and social benefits.
Thus, the type of wood we consume can be recognized as: (a) that which
is used under global norms that guarantee forest sustainability, and
therefore the development of their functions: environmentally, socially
and economically, and (b) that with unknown origin and conditions of
use.
Bolivia's system for accreditation of forestry certification is via the
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), which considers several types of
certification: The Forestry Management certificates cover the forestry
land management operations. The Chain of Custody (CoC) certificates
assure that the wood processed by industry, comes from forests with a
Forestry Management Certificate. There are also Combined Certificates of
Forestry Management and Chain of Custody.
The production and sale of products prepared with certified wood, called
the FSC “Certification of Chain of Custody (CoC)” means all the
certified products have the FSC seal, which is granted through its
accredited services, standards and marketing.
The CoC is the follow-up to the raw material, from its origin (the
forest), including the phases of processing, production and distribution,
until they reach the consumer. CoC-certified products can carry the FSC
logo.
To request CoC certification, it is necessary to go to an organization
or company authorized to evaluate the operations, and to grant the green
seal. There are 12 of these certifying organizations recognized by the
FSC around the world.
Of the 18 existing operations with Chain of Custody certification, 15
are factories with diverse products such as parquet, furniture, doors,
windows, parts and pieces, etc., 2 are handicraft workshops and 1 is a
marketer.
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CERTIFIED PRODUCT EXPORTS REACH $15 MILLION
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Forestry certification has been applied in
Bolivia for more than 7 years.
The exports of products that are certified or with a green seal have
been entering markets that were formerly difficult for Bolivia to access.
The 2003 data reveals that certified wood exports surpassed $14.5
million, or 14.5% of that year's total forestry exports, and 22% of the
wood product exports.
It is calculated that, although 2003 exports were 5% above the previous
year, there will be a greater increase in the future, based on the
growth of forestry exports in general.
Bolivian exports of certified products currently reach more than 20
countries. The main destinations are the United Kingdom, the United
States, France, Spain, Switzerland, the Low Countries and Germany.
Around 30 species are exported. Among the most important are Roble (Amburana
cearensis), Mara Macho (Cedrelinga catenaeformis), Yesquero (Cariniana
ianarensis), Ochoó (Hura crepitans), Fig (Ficus glabrata),
Spanish Cedar (Cedrela odorata), Mahogany (Swietenia
macrophylla), Almendrillo (Dipteryx odorata), Paquió (Hymenaea
courbaril), Cambará (Erisma uncinatum), Tajibo (Tabebuia
impetiginosa), and Sirari (Ormosia coarctata).
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CERTIFICATION IS THE FUTURE
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CIMAL/IMR was the first forestry company to
certify sustainable management of its forests, and, with the
certification of its Chain of Custody, the company was able to integrate
all the productive chain, from the tree to the sale of wood products to
the end user, enabling CIMAL/IMR to offer products internationally with
the certification seal. The company believes that forestry certification
is forestry's present and future.
CIMAL/IMR Ltda. Director, Attorney Francisco Roda, explained that his
company's experience shows that forestry certification resides in the
improvement of three basic components: the social, the environmental and
the economic. Sustainable Forestry Management and its Certification
allow integrated development. This results in better planning of
activities all along the chain, contributing to the preservation of
natural forests; and in the social aspect, granting fairer treatment to
workers and neighboring communities. Greater control of the production
is also seen, elevating industrial yields and reducing waste.
The reasons that moved CIMAL/IMR to obtain the green seal or
Certification were: 1. CIMAL already practiced good forestry management,
and Certification was a scientific way to demonstrate that when
extracting wood, the company preserves the environment and the forest.
2. Certification helps lower costs. This system forces a company to be
more efficient, and, over the years, productive, social and
environmental improvements are seen. 3. Certification provides a joint
benefit to all its actors, because the forest is preserved and economic
benefits are realized by both the businessmen and workers.
“We believe the only real way to protect forests, and to avoid the
change of their use, is creating commercial value for them, which means
greater economic return than that obtained in alternative activities.
“This is possible through responsible and socially-committed forestry
use with protection, economically profitable and sustainable, according
to the FSC Principles (Forest Council Stewardship),” said Attorney Roda.
CIMAL/IMR is in first place in wood product exports. Certification
especially allowed access to markets of northern Europe. “Certification
is a comparative advantage, because few companies have it. Certified
products are in demand around the world, but it must be considered that
the competitive advantage is in each company being efficient, creative
and competitive internationally,” added the businessman.
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ISC INCREASES INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS
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“Bolivia already has top technological services
that assure that Bolivian products are export quality,” said Industrial
Services Center Manager, Eng. Mirko Eyzaguirre.
“The need to create this specialized wood industry center arose from the
lack of technical services to meet the requirements of approximately one
thousand forestry industries in Bolivia. Thanks to the efforts of the
Bolivian Chamber of Forestry, and the Cooperation of the Swedish
government, this technical need has been satisfied. The companies
formerly had to call technicians from Brazil, or to send damaged parts
from their sawmills to other countries. However, with the ISC, all this
has changed, and the businessman has a better option.
“Today, the ISC has a service for standardized crowngrinding of bandsaw
wheels, and integrated maintenance of the industry's first stage
processes,” stated Eng. Eyzaguirre.
The ISC currently has a sharpening workshop for wood manufacturing mills,
sharpening circular saws and cutting tools, repair and rebrazing of
circular saws, with the capacity to manufacture high-quality milling
cutters and sharpening blades to the client's requirements. These are of
high resistance material, suitable even for abrasive (rough) woods such
as the San Domingo–Boxwood (Phyllostylon rhamnoides) of the Bajo Paraguá,
the Mururé (Clarisia racemosa), Almendrillo Amarillo (Apuleia mollaris)
and others.
E-mail: csi_bol@cotas.com.bo
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