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Panama, [16 de octubre 2024] – Ecotopia Teak had the honor of welcoming Dr. Mohammed Nurudeen Iddrisu, Director of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), and Carlos Espinoza, Forestry Director of the Ministry of Environment, for a visit to our facilities yesterday.   The visit included a tour of our processing plant, led by Ing. Dionel Combe, who provided a detailed overview of our operations and the high standards we adhere to in producing high-quality teak. Throughout the visit, we highlighted our responsible and sustainable practices, which are at the core of our mission.   We are proud to share this experience with such distinguished representatives. Their visit reaffirms our commitment to excellence and sustainability at every stage of the production process.   Ecotopia Teak continues to advance its mission of providing certified and sustainable teak, contributing to environmental conservation and the development of the forestry sector in Panama. 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. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

The event made it clear that it’s not just about conserving forests but also ensuring that economic activities related to forest resources are carried out sustainably. The focus is on utilizing resources rationally, guaranteeing long-term benefits for the environment, society, and economy.   In an effort to promote sustainable forest management and more responsible trade in Panama, around 50 communicators participated in a workshop organized by the Forestry Directorate (DIFOR) of the Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE).   This event, funded by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), highlighted the importance of ensuring that forest products come from legal sources and responsibly managed forests.   The event made it clear that it’s not just about conserving forests but also about ensuring that economic activities related to forest resources are carried out sustainably. The focus is on utilizing resources rationally, guaranteeing long-term benefits for the environment, society, and economy.   During the workshop, experts from the Ministry of Environment emphasized that proper forest management not only supports the country’s economic development but also environmental sustainability. Additionally, the importance of traceability and legality in forest activities was discussed, ensuring that the trade of these products has a positive and lasting impact.   Among the specialists who shared their knowledge were Fernando Cerrera Gambetta from CATIE, John Jairo Manrique from WWF, Álvaro Castillo from DIFOR, and Rodney Delgado from the Technological University of Panama.   The main topics included sustainable forest management and its impact on ecosystem conservation, traceability in forest product trade, and the properties of the most important wood species in the country.   The event was not only theoretical but also included 10 business tables where 40 representatives from the forestry sector established strategic alliances between wood buyers and sellers, promoting legal and sustainable trade and creating new opportunities in the Panamanian market.   Additionally, the Ministry of Environment took the opportunity to launch the second phase of the Legal Timber Network, an initiative aimed at consolidating a network among producers, marketers, and consumers to ensure that forest product trade in the country is fair and responsible.   According to data shared by DIFOR, using statistics from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), the forestry sector has contributed 0.20% to Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2010 and 2023, representing an average of 114.9 million balboas during that period. 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. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Tracking the transformation chain of timber logs from their departure from the forest until they reach an industry, workshop, or supply yard. Miriam Lasso  /  miriam.lasso@epasa.com  /  @mlasso12 More than 110,000 hectares out of the over 200,000 in the Darién and Panama East regions are designated for forest utilization, indicating that 20% are under forest management, with 350 to 850 hectares utilized annually.   Well-managed forest utilization does not lead to deforestation, explained Álvaro Castillo from the Forestry Directorate of the Ministry of Environment. It’s an established economic activity regulated by forestry legislation, benefiting both communities and the environment, the expert noted.   The tracking of timber logs from their forest origin to industries, workshops, or supply yards has reduced illegal trafficking and use of timber through oversight and transparency measures.   This traceability process is supported by technological components including a web application for user registration and management of field data, transportation, and supply chain information. An Android application is used for census taking, tree identification, and oversight, along with NFC and QR codes to identify trees and logs.   The traceability system has enabled more transparent and less burdensome operations, empowering forest managers to uphold legal compliance effectively, Castillo emphasized. The forest ranger, a certified forestry engineer by the National Technical Council of Agriculture, is responsible for 60% of forest inventory compliance and ensuring compliance throughout the forest utilization process, the expert indicated. Additionally, they are accountable to authorities and the community to ensure that forest utilization activities adhere to established legal norms.   110,000 hectares of forests in Panama East and Darien are allocated for forest utilization.   350 to 850 hectares are utilized annually according to the management plan.   Forest monitoring is focused in the Eastern region of the country, including the Emberá Wounaan, Wargandí, Guna de Madungandí, and Chepo regions, with potential expansions as authorities consider.   The system was initially developed with financial support from the International Tropical Timber Organization and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), while communities invest in purchasing devices costing between $0.50 to $0.75, some of which are manufactured locally in Panama. Maintenance is covered by operating funds from the Ministry of Environment.   Castillo reiterated that the entire process is underpinned by Resolution No. DM-0068-2018, establishing the Environmental Traceability System and amending Resolution JD-0598 that regulates Law 1 (Forest Law) of 1994.   The positive impact of this system, comprising two modes—forests and submerged wood, and managed plantations and natural regeneration—has successfully reduced environmental crimes. However, it’s acknowledged that illegal activity persists on a very small scale. Illegal activity occurs at all levels of the industry; however, with the traceability system and agreements with security agencies, it has significantly decreased, providing reassurance to companies and communities.   Among the most common cases of illegal exploitation, incidents occur with balsam species in Darién and the Emberá Wounnan region, many of which are detected on highways.   Similarly, in Soberanía National Park and Camino de Cruces, there are cases of illegal exploitation of cocobolo, while in other provinces, illegal activities involve species such as cedar, oak, and corotú.   Typically, these crimes are committed by small groups of two to three individuals who do not transport more than one cubic meter, corresponding to about 12 to 15 pieces of wood from a tree, explained Castillo.   As of last May, the Public Ministry registered a total of 15 reports of logging or destruction of arboreal or shrub vegetation formations in special areas. https://youtu.be/abxSSN9Xy8A This event has marked a milestone towards a more sustainable and responsible timber industry in Panama / TVN Digital. 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. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Leoncio V. Berrío M./ lberrio@anpanama.com (Ciudad de Panamá-ANPanamá) More and more consumers are demanding to know where their goods come from, so being able to maintain traceability and demonstrate that forest resources have a legal origin allows them access to the world’s best markets for export, said Bianca Frieda Morán, President of the Panamanian Exporters Association (APEX).   She added that Panama promotes legal trade in wood, while also respecting forest preservation. To oversee the export process, the Ministry of Environment (Miambiente) plays a role in inspecting wood transformation areas and verifying that the wood has reached the market through all legal channels, including forest registration, operational certification, export guides, sales invoices, among other processes.   According to the APEX president, thanks to the Legal Wood Network, the management and traceability of forest resources demonstrate their legal origin, promoting fair practices and trade where wood producers obtain a fair price. «There must be differentiation and recognition of the cost of generating legal wood,» Frieda emphasized.   You can view the full article here. https://youtu.be/PkpYcAhwvNI 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. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Authorities and private companies seek to promote sustainability and the responsible use of forest resources in Panama. Yaritza Mojica Reducing illegal logging and timber extraction is one of the goals aimed at consolidating a forest management base through the implementation of the Forest Traceability and Control System of Panama (STCF).   This system, established in Resolution DM-006-2018 of February 27, 2018, which creates the STCF of the Ministry of Environment (Miambiente), has made it possible to locate trees from their point of origin, know the origin of the log, as well as identify the timber and its legality.   Additionally, electronic devices (blue and yellow) have been implemented in the trees and logs for identification and registration purposes.   Álvaro Castillo, a forest engineer from the Forestry Directorate of Miambiente, explained that last year 10 cases were detected in which attempts were made to illegally commercialize timber.   The product is transported through small trucks to sell it quickly in small workshops.   Timber is recognized as lacking traceability if it is transported without the forest products being marked or identified with yellow tags, which verify its origin.   So far in 2024, the Forestry Directorate has not reported any cases of illegal timber transportation.   Castillo explained that in Darién, illegal logging of various timber species, including balsam, which is exported, as well as bitter cedar, espavé, and some yellow species, has been detected.   In the central provinces, illegal logging of oak and bitter cedar has been found. In Bocas del Toro, some cases of extraction of millenary species in small volumes have been identified.   According to Castillo, there are platforms that Miambiente establishes for the control of sustainable forest production in the country, including logging, transportation, distribution centers, transformation centers, and the export of species that have an international market.   The forest engineer stated that in forests where logging and extraction of timber occur, with a quantity of 100 trees, only 70% can be extracted, and the remaining 30% of the trees must be left as seed trees.   These seed trees must be «good» trees, meaning they must have a cylindrical trunk, a wide crown, and must not have holes, be damaged, or burned. These characteristics are essential to maintain high-quality seed genetics.   Monitoring and control of sustainable forest production in the utilization areas by Miambiente. Courtesy. In Panama, there are eight areas designated for timber utilization. These include the Emberá-Wounaan comarca in Cémaco, the Wargandí and Mortí areas, the Guna de Madungandí comarca in Río Sábalo, Chicola Chicola, and two areas for submerged timber utilization in Río Diablo and Aguas Claras within Lake Bayano.   To maintain controls, the Forestry Directorate conducts operations and verifications in all utilization areas, including industries, sawmill areas, and workshops where the STCF is implemented, ensuring that timber guides are signed by qualified personnel.   Additionally, they receive support from the National Border Service (Senafront), the Ecological Police, and the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office.   Bianca Morán, president of the Panamanian Exporters Association and manager of Ecotopia Teak, stated that 98% of Panama’s exports consist of teak, a type of timber sourced from commercial forest plantations.   In this regard, she advocates for the promotion of certified reforestation, which also helps generate jobs in rural areas.   According to Morán, traceability is what allows exports to demanding markets in terms of quality. She explained that certified companies undergo environmental, labor, health, and financial audits, and their forest operations are audited annually.   “With all this traceability in our product, the person who buys a chair or a piece of furniture made from our teak can be assured that not only has the chain of custody been complied with, but they also have a piece of furniture made from sustainable forest timber. This opens many opportunities for Panamanians.”   In Morán’s view, efforts should be made to reach the best markets because of the product’s quality. “Now we need to move towards scenarios with value-added products to increase our export offerings,” she stated.   These statements were made during a discussion on sustainability and the responsible use of forest resources in Panama, which also included participation from Denise Cisneros of Tetra Pak, who presented on sustainability and the use of renewable and recyclable raw materials, as well as representatives from Miambiente. 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. Facebook-f Youtube Instagram More articles

Originally composed of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela (though the latter has been suspended since 2017), the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) boasts an annual trade balance exceeding $600 billion, with China, the United States, and the Netherlands as its main markets. Alex E. Hernández During the swearing-in ceremony as president-elect, José Raúl Mulino provided details of the actions he will take once he assumes control of the country on July 1.   He spoke about the importance of expanding the Panama Canal watershed, the «My First Job» program, and the management of public funds, topics that, according to the private sector, should be included in the agenda for the first 100 days of the elected president’s administration.   Mulino also mentioned foreign trade and how it can help Panama’s agricultural sector increase its production by accessing more markets.   The president-elect said that the international community has shown signs of establishing trade alliances with the country, and revealed that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva shared the idea of initiating talks for Panama to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Mercosur.   Originally composed of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Venezuela (the latter suspended since 2017), the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) boasts an annual trade balance exceeding $600 billion, with China, the United States, and the Netherlands as its main markets.   The trade bloc, which includes associate states such as Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Bolivia, primarily exports minerals, soy, meat, and fuel, while importing nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, mineral fuels, mineral oils, and mineral waxes.   According to Mulino, achieving an FTA with Mercosur would provide Panama with significant political and economic leverage, complementing existing agreements with Central America and the Dominican Republic. “We must open doors for exporting our products, ensuring our entrepreneurs have government support to find these markets, without harming our own, but most importantly, overcoming the agricultural sector’s limitations, enabling it to produce food and grains for the world, through necessary incentives to plant more, sell more here, and export more abroad,” the president-elect stated.   What Would Seeking an FTA with Mercosur Mean for Panama?   According to the platform of the Office of Trade Intelligence (Intelcom) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the volume of Panamanian exports to Mercosur countries is low, with none among the top 10 destinations for Panamanian exports, which include China, Japan, the United States, the Netherlands, India, South Korea, Canada, Spain, and Germany.   Between 2018 and the first quarter of 2024, Panamanian exports to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, which together represent a market of 273.9 million people, reached $39.8 million, with 2018 marking the highest volume in the past 15 years at $8.4 million.   Individually, Brazil is the primary destination within the original Mercosur members for Panamanian exporters, accounting for over 80% of shipments. According to Intelcom, Panamanian exports to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay are led by aluminum waste, frozen fish (excluding fillets), iron and copper scrap, fat and oil, cocoa, recyclable cardboard, and pharmaceuticals, among others.   Exporters’ Perspectives and Actions to Be Taken Bianca Morán, president of the Panamanian Association of Exporters (Apex), views Mulino’s words about seeking mechanisms to increase the country’s foreign trade positively.   Regarding the idea of pursuing an FTA with Mercosur, exporters believe it is crucial to explore areas of cooperation before embarking on trade agreement negotiations. Panama currently has 23 active trade agreements, including FTAs, Trade Promotion Agreements, and Commercial Alliances.   Intelcom data indicates that of the total Panamanian exports at the end of the first quarter of 2024, amounting to $187 million, 82.1% were destined for countries with which Panama has an active trade agreement.   “In terms of trade blocs as destinations for our exports, the European Union ranks first, followed by the Central American Common Market (MCCA) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI),” details the Office of Trade Intelligence.   Morán emphasized the importance of reaching a consensus with the export sector before initiating FTA negotiations, noting that the sector is currently focused on expanding its presence in the Caribbean and Europe. “We are focused on migrating to certified markets that pay better for Panamanian products,” she explained. Other exporters suggested that Panama should focus on the quality of its products, given its small size and low export volume, making it essential to prioritize value-added products for better investment returns.   Recommendations for the Incoming Administration   Apex’s president highlighted the need for the new government to modernize institutions to boost foreign trade, noting that it is currently easier to import than export.   “We need an export plan that modernizes the systems of institutions involved in foreign trade. While the Ministry of Commerce and Industries has a high percentage of digitalization in its processes, other ministries like Agricultural Development and the Environment are different, and their platforms are not interconnected to facilitate bureaucratic procedures,” she explained.   Raúl Montenegro, president of the Panamanian Industrial Union (SIP), added that, compared to other countries, processing time in Panama can be up to six times longer, complicating the private sector’s operations.   In his opinion, the incoming government should focus on reducing the time required for businesses to obtain permits and authorizations for operations and exports. Apex also stressed the importance of developing and promoting a national brand, which Panama lacks compared to other countries, to increase the visibility of its products.     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.