First certified processing plant for wood from forest plantations inaugurated
Ecotopia Teak opened its doors on January 28th in the town of Chepo, where national authorities and presidents of export associations such as APEX, SIP, and CONEP gathered.
“This investment represents a great innovation for our country, as it allows us to export products with high domestic added value, introducing knowledge and technology transfer to export timber that must also comply with the highest international environmental standards, in order to open new market opportunities in Europe, Asia, and North America,” said Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of the Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion PROPANAMA.
She explained that last year, a delegation participated with FSC® certified wood producers in the launch of the country brand “Panama Teak” during the Dubai WoodShow 2022, which generated orders for Panamanian participants.
She concluded by saying that this year they will also participate with Panamanian companies in this fair to promote, through increased exports, the generation of employment with knowledge and technology transfer.
Bianca Morán, Administrative Manager of Ecotopia Teak, during the inauguration of the teak exportation in 2023, explained that this plant allows them to reach European markets with a stabilized finished product, with precision and high quality, not just raw material.
The importance of adding value to export products, as Ecotopia Teak does, lies in the diversification of the export offer and the creation of new jobs in rural areas with a high level of training, providing well-being to the population.
Juan Carlos Palacios, Executive Director of the Sustainable Forest Management Corporation of Ecuador, considered that “this investment is a starting point for Panama and the region because this company is an example, not only for Central America but also for South America, as it is one of the few factories that produces certified wood with added value, which reduces our dependence on markets such as Asia to sell our production.”
About us
Ecotopia Teak, S.A., we are a family-owned company dedicated to reforestation, harvesting, and exporting wood from commercial plantations. We work under high production standards and with social responsibility to obtain high-quality wood according to the needs and demands of national and international markets. Additionally, we actively contribute to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in the communities where we operate. Our commitment is to lead the industry in sustainable reforestation and wood production, preserving our natural resources and building a greener and more sustainable future.
