Manufacturers get grant to consider feasibility of log yard

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), on 1st September 2020, signed an agreement for a $6M grant which will be used to determine the feasibility of establishing a Consolidated Log Yard (CLY) operation in Guyana.

A release yesterday from the GMSA said that the approach to this study will be through a consultative process involving key stakeholders such as forest sector operators, Government agencies, civil society, indigenous organisations and other non-governmental organisations.

The release said that the establishment of any CLY should have as its intended purpose to improve growth within the forestry sector in an open marketplace and as a clearing house for legally produced timber.

“Only timber products which are compliant with Guyana’s Timber Legality Assurance System (GTLAS) should be traded through such a facility. The facility’s adherence to the GTLAS will engender enhanced confidence in the legality of wood products on the local and international markets”, the release said.

It added that through research and consultations with the key stakeholders, various models will be examined for suitability to Guyana’s context and within the framework of the National Forest Policy.