Digitizing forestry licences key to curb smuggling – aimnews.org

Maputo, 13 Apr (AIM) – The Mozambican government believes that the digitalization of the licensing and export system for forestry products is crucial to reducing timber smuggling, as it strengthens supervision and increases transparency in the sector.

According to the National Director of Forests, Imede Falume, speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the seminar presenting the “Zero Project” of the Strategic Plan 2026-2035 of the Federation of Forestry Operators of the country (FEDEMOMA), the introduction of digital systems represents a significant advance in the management of the sector, reducing opportunities for fraud and improving control of operations.

“We have introduced improvements in management. We are specifically talking about the digital license control system. The scope for timber smuggling using false documents is greatly reduced,” he stated.

He further explained that FEDEMOMA is working to train operators in the use of georeferencing tools, with a view to improving traceability.

In turn, Jorge Chacate from FEDEMOMA, called for coordinated action between the State and operators to combat illegal logging. “Protecting those who work in the forests is a political duty. There are reports of leased licenses and operators using coal licenses for illegal logging in concessions and conservation areas,” he stated.

According to Chacate, irregularities also persist in the use of timber transit licenses and “this system has the potential to eliminate several irregularities. The forest information system was designed to reduce human intervention and eliminate irregular practices.”

He stated that wood exports fell from 505,000 cubic meters in 2015 to approximately 64,000 in recent years.
(AIM)
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