100 log trucks stuck in Yangon's ports

100 log trucks stuck in Yangon's ports

Published on Thursday, 03 April 2014 18:01

About 100 log-laden trucks remain at Yangon and Thilawa ports after a country-wide deadline banning raw timber exports.
The shipping of logs was stopped at 11 pm on March 31 after the state-owned Myanmar Timber Enterprise declared a nation-wide ban on timber exports.
"About 50 log-laden trucks remain stranded at Thilawa port and about 30 at Sule. All in all about 100 are left. The logs from these trucks have to be transported back to the primary timber fields," said an official from Myanmar Port Authority.
There were difficulties for the trucks to return right away because there were simply too many of them. Ports are also being supervised by the customs officials to make sure the export ban is enforced.
Last year, 186,650 tonnes of teak wood exported through Myanmar ports as well as overland to China.
Last week witnessed a last minute rush to export raw hard wood through various Yangon ports after the government announced a ban on timber exports.
The ban is intended to encourage wood-based industries to export finished products and not just raw timber, as well as help conserve Myanmar's dwindling forests.
However, some businessmen were skeptical that this would occur after as many influential companies are still behind illegal logging activities.  
"People were not interested in making long-termed investment, creating job opportunity in the region. The desire to make profit by extracting and selling logs results in nearly deforestation along the Ayeyawady River," said one business owner who did not want to be named.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/100-log-trucks-stuck-in-yangons-ports/