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This decision, taken by the Congolese government for the first time in 2000, has finally been applied since January 1, 2023. Logging companies must now process all their production on site to create more jobs. The measure is not without consequence. NGOs wonder if it was well prepared.
From our correspondent in Brazzaville,
Sitting on a long sofa in her spacious office, Rosalie Matondo, Minister of Forest Economy, expresses her satisfaction following the entry into force of the resolution banning the export of logs. ” All the partners (loggers) that we have have at least 15 or 20 years of experience, others even 40 years. Today we want them to understand the direction given by Congolese policy so that wood is processed on national territory.explains the Minister. Let there be a transfer of technology, rather than transforming the wood outside. We want our raw materials to be processed on national territory ».
Rosalie Matondo explains more about government policy. ” The reform we take both ways : the first is to prohibit the export of logs to create processing units in our country. The second sense is a novelty that we have created that does not exist in the world, production sharing, emphasizes the Minister of the Economy. That is to say, between the State (owner of the forests) and the concessionaire who manages the forest concession, there is a sharing of logs. This sharing of logs integrates a market or a purchasing center set up in the special economic zone. »
The percentage of this sharing remains to be defined. Inspired by neighboring Gabon, Congo intends to create two special economic zones dedicated to wood processing, in Ouesso in the north and in Pointe-Noire on the South Atlantic coast.
► To read also: Congo-B: decisions for transparent management of the Congo Basin forests
Transformation of logs on site: a challenge to be met
For his part, Brice Mackosso, from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), wonders if Congo has really planned the necessary investments and has the qualified manpower to meet this challenge. ” The government of Congo should first work to put in place the conditions that can allow the implementation of this policy. “, he suggests.
The port of Pointe-Noire is the main outlet for Congolese timber. In 2022, 415,000 cubic meters of logs passed through there, according to its general manager Séraphin Balhat who has an analysis of the situation. ” It goes without saying that we are going to lose volumes this year. Not only the commodity royalty of this log timber, but also the fact that we have revenue through the ships that are assisted by our tugs, says the director of Séraphin Blhat. All this will reduce our turnover. Good ! You can’t make omelettes without breaking the eggs ».
Logs produced by logging companies in Northern Congo also passed through the port of Douala in Cameroon.