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TFT and GFTN launch Lao Forest and Trade Platform: Strengthening responsible forestry management and trade

TFT has been working in forests and factories in Laos since 2003, in collaboration with the Lao government and GFTN-WWF. On 19th November, this working partnership was formalised with the launch of the Lao Forest and Trade Platform in Vientiane.

The event attracted a very impressive turnout, validating not only the good work achieved so far by TFT and GFTN in the region, but also confirming the strong support for this collaboration. All major Ministries, NGOs, Business Associations and stakeholders within the Forest sector in Laos attended the ceremony, and confirmed their optimism and backing for the initiative and the hope the collaboration brings for responsible forestry in Laos.

Read the full Press Release here.

 

WWF's Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) and The Forest Trust (TFT) launched the Lao Forest and Trade Platform, a collaborative partnership in Lao PDR to strengthen responsible forestry practices and links to international markets.

The Platform will help Lao PDR emerge as a leader in supplying responsible forest products to the global marketplace, while contributing to poverty alleviation and the conservation of the country's valuable and threatened forests.

During the launch, the Platform welcomed its first two official participants, Lao Furniture Industry Company (Lao FIC) and Burapha Agro Forestry Company. By formalising their commitment to source credibly certified timber from well-managed forests, these companies will help to lead the transformation of Lao forest products industry.

Support and aims

With the support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Responsible Asia Forest and Trade (RAFT) programme, the Platform will encourage trade links between companies committed to achieving and supporting responsible forestry.

The Platform will support the Government of Laos to lead the Lao forest industry into a new era of responsible management, creating market conditions that help to conserve the country's forests, while contributing to the social and economic development of the people and businesses that rely on them.

GFTN and TFT also announced that in collaboration with the Government of Laos, the Platform will prioritise concrete and immediate actions throughout the sector for the benefit of the people of Laos and their unique environment.

By combining the strengths of the GFTN's global reach with TFT's hands-on support on the ground, the Platform provides an unparallelled opportunity to transform the Lao forestry sector into one recognised for its strengths in delivering responsibly produced forest products to international markets, while providing positive social and environmental impacts to the Mekong region.