By Delicia Janneire | January 14, 2025
Guyana is making significant strides toward obtaining its FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) License, a certification that will open new market opportunities for businesses within the forestry sector.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, provided an update on the country’s efforts to meet the necessary criteria for the prestigious certification.
The FLEGT License, once granted, will allow Guyanese exporters to be officially recognized by the European Union (EU) as meeting strict environmental, legal, and sustainability standards.
This achievement will enhance the country’s reputation as a timber producer and help ensure that forest products can be traced back to their legal sources.
Minister Bharrat indicated that Guyana is on track to secure the FLEGT License within the next year or year and a half, making it one of the few countries globally to receive the certification through the EU’s FLEGT program.
He emphasized that the certification will not only bolster the timber sector’s international standing but also promote sustainable practices and legal compliance.
The government is also promoting the growth of value-added businesses within the sector, encouraging the establishment of sawmills and furniture shops in forested communities.
Minister Bharrat noted that these initiatives are essential for maintaining low deforestation rates and ensuring the long-term viability of the forestry sector. The sector currently employs over 25,000 Guyanese, both directly and indirectly.
In 2024, stakeholders in the forestry sector recorded significant improvements, with recovery rates climbing to 75%, up from 40% in 2020.
Production also saw a boost, with an increase of over 20,000 cubic meters and the establishment of 12 new lumber yards and more than 25 new sawmills.
Additionally, communities such as Orealla, Siparuta, and Ituni have benefited from the expansion of value-added businesses.
Looking ahead, the ministry plans to explore the cultivation of bamboo in mined-out areas, which could further support the growth and diversification of the forestry sector.