PROPANAMA supports the development of exports to European markets
Panama has the first high-capacity and high-precision teak wood processing plant in the region, sourced from forest plantations. The plant is certified in chain of custody by FSC® Forest Stewardship Council and has the capacity to process 1,300 annual shipments of 40-foot containers to certified premium markets.
Ecotopia Teak opened its doors on January 28th in the town of Chepo, with the presence of national authorities and presidents of export associations such as APEX, SIP, and CONEP.
Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of the Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion PROPANAMA, stated, “This investment represents a great innovation for our country, as we can export products with high domestic added value, introducing knowledge and technology transfer to the 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.”
She highlighted the participation of Panamanian FSC® certified timber producers in the launch of the “Panama Teak” country brand during Dubai WoodShow 2022, which generated orders for Panamanian participants.
Vergara concluded by stating that this year they will also participate with Panamanian companies in the fair to promote, through increased exports, the generation of employment through knowledge and technology transfer.
Bianca Morán, Administrative Manager of Ecotopia Teak, explained during the inauguration of the 2023 teakwood export, that this plant enables them to reach European markets with a stabilized finished product of precision and high quality, not just raw materials.
The importance of adding value to exported products, as done by Ecotopia Teak, lies in the diversification of export offerings and the creation of new jobs in rural areas with a high level of training, providing well-being to the population.
Luis Frauca, President of the Industrial Union of Panama (SIP), emphasized the appreciation for this innovation and investment effort, particularly the projection of adding value to exported products, creating higher value and elevating the country’s level of technology.
Similarly, Víctor Pérez, President of the Panamanian Exporters Association (APEX), stated, “It is very rewarding to see how Panama is evolving from exporting raw materials to exporting certified value-added products, such as processed wood.”
Juan Carlos Palacios, Executive Director of the Sustainable Forest Management Corporation of Ecuador, considered this investment in Panama and the region as a starting point, as this company is an example not only for Central America but also for South America. It is one of the few factories that produces certified value-added wood, reducing dependence on markets like Asia to sell their production.
SOURCE: Propanama
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.
