Shutting the Export Door
The export of Indonesian logs has once again been banned. This is because there is proof that Indonesia's forests are being plundered and its processed wood products lack competition. But the World Bank is uncertain that the banning of exports will be able to prevent wood smuggling.
October 16, 2001
Neither Prakosa nor Rini have held their seats as Minister of Forestry and Minister of Trade & Industry, respectively, for very long yet. Despite this, the two of them have been "brave" enough to issue a policy that contradicts the lines laid down by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). On Tuesday last week, these two new ministers announced a moratorium on the export of logs and wood chips. "This policy safeguards the conservation of Indonesian f...