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The lumber industry calls for trained personnel

The need for human resources for forestry tasks arises amidst an initiative to provide economic assistance during closed seasons. The possibility of providing economic support to lumber workers during closed seasons has sparked a debate about whether this alternative aligns with current needs or if the focus should be on training personnel for forestry tasks.   Bianca Morán, former president of the National Association of Reforesters and Related, emphasized the importance of promoting technical education to cultivate a pool of trained personnel and improve the quality of life for those currently working informally in the profession.   «99% of Panama’s wood exports come from commercial teak plantations where work goes on for 12 months a year because, after the extraction months, the personnel transition to working on planting and maintenance tasks,» Morán said.   According to Morán, it has been proven that commercial plantations positively impact the economies of the communities where they are located because all employees have social security coverage and the environment is cared for.   The expert highlighted that companies involved in wood trading require foremen, precision chainsaw operators, foreman assistants, mechanics, packing list data entry clerks, among others.   In contrast, she pointed out that the lumber sector, related to native forest extraction, represents only 1% of the country’s wood exports (through piecework) and is carried out by informal workers, posing risks that lead to fatalities in the field and is a business on the verge of extinction.   «The sale of wood from native forests is not only banned in Panama but in all premium markets around the world due to its impact on fragile populations, its contribution to deforestation, and degradation of water quality,» she explained.   She added that operators in native forests are not eligible for credit from banks since this activity is considered harmful to the environment.   Regarding the possible subsidy, Morán stated that it does not create any new job positions, does not promote employment, nor ensures economic freedom.   In the National Assembly, there is an initiative aimed at protecting lumber and fishing workers. The project establishes a monthly monetary allowance from the state during the forestry suspension period or closed season.   If approved, to access the aid, the individual must be exclusively engaged in these activities and be accredited by the Ministry of Environment or ARAP. The allowance should cover the basic needs of the worker, and if the closed season exceeds six months, the state will have to help the worker transition to another activity.   Deputy Abel Beker, the proponent, stated that the proposal aims to support humble workers who rely on these trades and face severe penalties when they fail to comply with regulations.   «If there’s a closed season, who provides assistance to them? In Costa Rica, they don’t cut wood, but they’re compensated for it. We can’t punish our people who cut wood to sell and buy a pound of sugar or chicken,» he remarked.   On the other hand, Alexis Peña, General Secretary of ARAP, emphasized that the Ministry of Economy and Finance must have a more active role in this project as it needs to be clear where the funds will come from to ensure the monetary allowances are sustainable.   «We need the support of the MEF to guarantee this project. We recommend analyzing this to assess its viability and sustainability,» Peña underscored.   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

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Ecotopia Teak: Promoting Responsible Teak Production in Panamá

In order to provide an opportunity for practical learning following current models implemented in Panama regarding mechanization and automation from a commercial perspective in the forestry sector, the Ministry of Environment and professors from the Technological University organized a guided visit to the facilities of Ecotopia Teak company.   Ecotopia Teak, located in Genené, Cañita de Chepo, Panama province, is the first certified processing plant for timber from forest plantations and has a production capacity of 1,300 forty-foot containers of teak per year.   Therefore, in addition to being dedicated to forest utilization, they are committed to the education and training of future professionals. That is why they received a visit from a group of fourth and sixth-year students from the forestry engineering program at the Technological University of Panama and five graduating students from the Forestry Engineering program at the National University of Forestry Sciences (UNACIFOR) of Honduras at their teak processing plant.   As a pilot plan for industrial development and the only teak plant at a regional level, Ecotopia Teak decided to share this great knowledge and experience with future forestry engineers in order to have a generational relay that is oriented towards the future, based on the changing experiences of international markets. In this way, they move forward with the commitment to promote sustainable development and excellence in the forestry industry.   The students, accompanied by their professors, were able to acquire extensive knowledge about the teak commercialization system and the different qualities of production.   This visit allowed the students to have a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in mechanization and automation within a teak processing plant. Likewise, they were provided with a different perspective on the importance of FSC certification and responsible teak production in Panama for the development of rural economies in Chepo and Darien. The Ministry of Environment and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) hope to have the pleasant presence of Ecotopia Teak at this important event. 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 Facebook-f Youtube Instagram

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Bright Minds: Bianca Morán, Entrepreneur

Bianca Morán is the manager of a Panamanian company that produces high-quality teak in an environmentally friendly manner, and has received recognition in Dubai. 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

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Panamá has the first teak processing plant in the region

Panama participated last year with certified FSC wood producers in the launch of the country brand «Panama Teak Panamá has the first high-capacity and high-precision teak processing plant from forest plantations.   Ecotopia Teak, which inaugurated the plant on January 28th in the locality of Chepo, is FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) chain of custody certified and has the capacity to process 1,300 40-foot containers annually for certified premium markets.   Panama participated last year with certified FSC wood producers in the launch of the country brand «Panama Teak» during the Dubai WoodShow 2022, which generated orders for Panamanian participants, highlighted Carmen Gisela Vergara, General Administrator of the Authority for Investment Attraction and Export Promotion (PROPANAMA).   «This investment (the plant) 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 the export timber, which must also comply with the highest international environmental standards to open up new market sectors in Europe, Asia, and North America,» stated Vergara.   Bianca Morán, Administrative Manager of Ecotopia Teak, during the inauguration of the 2023 teak export, explained that this plant enables 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 export offerings and the creation of new jobs in rural areas with a high level of training, providing well-being to the populations.   The President of the Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP), Luis Frauca, stated, «We value this effort of innovation and investment, especially the projection of adding value to what is exported rather than exporting raw materials because it creates greater value for exports and raises the level of technological advancement in the country.»   Similarly, Victor Pérez, President of the Panamanian Exporters Association (APEX), said, «It is very gratifying to see how in Panama we are evolving from exporting raw materials to exporting certified value-added products such as processed wood.»   The Executive Director of the Sustainable Forest Management Corporation of Ecuador, Juan Carlos Palacios, considered that «this investment in Panama and the region is a starting point because this company is an example, not only for Central America but also for South America since it is one of the few factories that generates a certified value-added product like wood, which reduces our dependence on markets such as Asia for selling our production.»   The General Administrator of PROPANAMA announced 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. 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

Panamá has the first teak processing plant in the region Leer más »