Govt Evaluating Impact Of Timber Legality Verification System

Jakarta, Feb 7 (Antara) - The government is studying the impact on domestic industries if it implements the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK) on the import of timber products, stated a deputy minister. "We have been working on the plan, but we are still considering its implementation and the likely impact on the domestic industries. We do not want our domestic industries to face shortage of raw materials," Trade Deputy Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi claimed here on Friday. The deputy minister emphasized that the government did not want the domestic industries to run short of raw materials if the system is implemented. "Not in the context of pulp, but in timber and other products, which if evaluated, also need the SVLK," he added. His side is also studying the transitional period involved in the implementation of the system. The government is now drafting the SVLK regulation for imported timber-based products after it recently imposed a similar system on its timber exports to the European Union. "We have discussed it in detail. What remains is the preparation of the legislation. In principle, all the concerned ministries have agreed to it," Director General for External Trade of the Ministry of Trade Bachrul Chairi recently noted. Chairi explained that earlier this year, the government had decided to prepare and implement the legislation. This implies that the other countries, such as China, Norway, and Italy, will have to accept the system if they intended to export their timber products to Indonesia. "All countries exporting their timber products to Indonesia must follow this system. If they fail to meet the system`s requirements, they will not be able to export their timber products to Indonesia," Chairi remarked. He emphasized that Indonesia should introduce the system to other countries through channels, such as the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), to enable the countries to easily adopt the new system. By introducing and adopting new policies with regard to its timber imports and exports, Indonesia is expected to gain a competitive edge in the timber product industry.