Lao bans timber exports to tighten forest management

But the government has announced that stronger enforcement of the Prime Ministerial Order No 15 must be carried out without compromise to further clamp down on illegal logging in Laos. 

They also agreed to put in place stronger measures to ensure the revenue-collection target for the rest of this year is met while giving priority to paying officials’ salaries.

These were among the outcomes of a two-day meeting held between the Cabinet, Vientiane’s mayor and provincial governors which wrapped up in Vientiane on Friday.

The Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office and government spokesman, Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher, highlighted the outcomes of the Cabinet-provincial governors meeting which outlined targets to be accomplished for the rest of this year. He said the meeting agreed that all types of unfinished or unprocessed timbers were banned from export, no matter where the logs originated from and regardless if they were from tree plantations. 

He said the government was aware the PM’s order was directly impacting on the business sector particularly those timber exporting companies.

However, the government called for all entrepreneurs to put the national interest above their own.

“Hopefully the business sector will show their patriotism and love for their nation by conserving the country’s forests which serve as a fundamental factor for economic development and livelihood improvement of local people,” Chaleun said. 

The government spokesman said those violating the PM’s Order or Forestry Law including government officials would be penalised.

The government also called on local villagers to report any cases of illegal logging so authorities could address the issues promptly.