Government to lift ban on timber exports soon

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Government says it has concluded consultations with timber stakeholders on the consideration to lifting the timber export ban which will be effected soon.

Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Wylbur Simuusa, told ZANIS in an interview that he was happy with the outcome of the talks held between government and timber stakeholders such as the Timber Association of Zambia among others.

Mr Simuusa described the talks as successful, saying stakeholders have offered government satisfactory recommendations which have convinced government to consider reversing the timber export ban.

He noted that his ministry was still finalising reports on the outcome of the discussion and once concluded will announce the lifting of the ban.

The Lands minister said the ban was implemented to add value to the timber production sector and restrict the manner in which wood was previously being handled in the country.

A fortnight ago stakeholders in the timber sector in Southern Province appealed to government to consider lifting the ban on timber exports to enable them sustain their livelihood.

Government last year suspended all timber licences to protect the depleting forests around the country.

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