Jakarta (19/05) - Since 2009, Indonesia has implemented the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK) to ensure that timber products traded and circulated in the world market have legality status and can be accounted for. Meanwhile, a number of agreements and commitments continue to be made to ensure Indonesia's forests remain sustainable.
On May 4, 2011, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the European Union successfully reached an agreement to eradicate illegal timber trade called the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA). With this agreement, Indonesia is encouraged to accelerate Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and the implementation of SVLK so that Indonesia, which is currently one of the exporters of wood products to Europe, is able to gain higher trust in consumer countries.
For Indonesia, this VPA agreement changes the business paradigm of the Forestry sector from Business as Usual to Best Management Practice. Companies in Indonesia that intend to export wood products to Europe must provide assurance that their products can be traced from the forest to the port of export. This is intended to maintain credibility and improve the quality of Indonesian wood products in the eyes of world consumers so as to increase the bargaining position of companies, timber producers and community forest farmers.
The conservation organization WWF - Indonesia, which supports the acceleration of Sustainable Forest Management, agreed to collaborate with PT Sucofindo (Persero), an independent institution that has been carrying out accredited timber legality verification.
"Timber legality is a strategic element to ensure that sustainable forest management is carried out properly. We hope that the partnership with Sucofindo can encourage environmental values such as the welfare of local communities and the existence of protected animals in the forest to run in harmony with the production of the company's wood products.", said Dr. Efransjah, Executive Director of WWF - Indonesia. Efransjah further said that sustainable forest management will ultimately realize responsible trade in Indonesia.
"This is a form of commitment from all parties towards change with mutual awareness. Cooperation with WWF as part of real support for the Government's policy in implementing the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK) as an instrument of responsible forest management and timber trade, we will carry out this trust as well as possible so that Indonesia's natural sustainability as one of the world's natural forest lungs is maintained, "said Hidayat Hardiyan, Commercial Director II of PT Sucofindo. Remaining at the same place, Sucofindo's commercial director, Hidayat Hardiyan, said.
Still at the same place, the largest retail company in Indonesia, PT Carrefour Indonesia (Carrefour) was present as a speaker at this meeting between forestry business sectors. Faisal Firdaus - Sustainable Development Manager PT Carrefour Indonesia added that as a retail company we are aware of this responsibility and are committed to encouraging the use of environmentally friendly raw materials, one of which is by purchasing from suppliers who use wood raw materials that do not come from the conversion of natural forests, for example, products from GFTN members. WWF-Indonesia through its WWF-Indonesia program, through its sustainable development program, is a leading supplier of forestry products.
WWF-Indonesia through the Global Forest & Trade Network program which in Indonesia has 32 members works at the site level to encourage sustainable forest management, GFTN also facilitates trade networks between companies committed to achieving and supporting a responsible forestry sector. In the spirit of conservation and implementation of Best Management Practice (BMP), GFTN approaches many companies under its facilities. On May 19, 2011, PT Essam Timber, a new member of GFTN Indonesia, officially signed the Participation Agreement. PT Essam Timber is the largest forest concession in the Heart of Borneo region with an area of more than 350,000 Ha located on the border of Kayan Mentarang National Park, East Kalimantan.
Related to the collaboration between WWF-Indonesia and PT Sucofindo in the framework of SVLK and GFTN implementation is a mutually beneficial synergy for the business world because it will further expand the options and promotion for businesses that prioritize environmental sustainability. "Commitment and consistency in the implementation of sustainable forest management principles is a key factor in the implementation of sustainable forest management.
"Commitment and consistency in applying the principles of sustainable natural forest management continue to be maintained in natural forest management. Thus there is a balance between the fulfillment of raw material needs from natural forests for the long term with the preservation of the natural forest itself, "said Amir Sunarko, President Director of PT Essam Timber. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and SVLK certification as a first step towards responsible trade is one strategic element for Best Management Practice (BMP) among companies and retail businesses.
***For more information please contact:

1. Aditya Bayunanda, GFTN Coordinator - Indonesia, abayunanda@wwf.or.id, +62818 265588
2. Dita Ramadhani, Communication Officer GFTN - Indonesia, dramadhani@wwf.or.id, +62821 100 79992
3. Haris Witjaksono, Vice President/ SBU Forestry, Marine - Fisheries and Environment, harisw@sucofindo.co.id, +62812 929 6487

Note to Editor:
About WWF-Indonesia
WWF-Indonesia. WWF-Indonesia is an independent part of the WWF network and its affiliates, a global conservation organization working in 100 countries around the world. WWF-Indonesia's vision is to conserve Indonesia's biodiversity for the well-being of current and future generations. WWF-Indonesia's mission includes: promoting a strong conservation ethic, awareness and action among Indonesians; facilitating multi-stakeholder efforts to protect biodiversity and ecological processes on an ecoregional scale; advocating for policies, laws and law enforcement that support conservation efforts; and promoting conservation for the welfare of society, through the sustainable use of natural resources. (www.wwf.or.id)
About the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN)
Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN). GFTN-Indonesia is one of WWF's initiatives to eliminate illegal logging and promote improved forest management. By facilitating a trading network between companies committed to achieving and supporting responsible forestry, GFTN upholds independent, multi-party forest certification as an important tool in promoting responsible forest management and trade in wood products along the raw material chain. Through its membership scheme, GFTN - Indonesia currently has 38 member companies (12 HPH/ HTI and 26 industrial companies) (www.wwf.or.id/gftn)
About PT Sucofindo
Sucofindo. PT Sucofindo (Persero), established in 1956, is a joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and Societe Gegenerale de surveillance Holding SA (SGS), one of the world's largest inspection companies based in Geneva, Switzerland. Sucofindo is the first inspection company in Indonesia. Experience in inspection, supervision, assessment and testing. Sucofindo's business services are cargo superintendence and inspection, warehousing & forwading, analytical laboratories, industrial & marine engineering, fumigation & industrial hygiene. Sucofindo provides forest solutions.
Sucofindo provides forestry solutions for the government and private sector starting from the planning stage to monitoring in the field including assessing the performance of forest management and the forest industry. Sucofindo's service network is supported by 71 service points consisting of 31 branches and sub-branches, and 17 laboratories. (www.sucofindo.co.id).
About PT Essam Timber
PT Essam Timber. IUPHHK forest alan PT Essam Timber, one of the subsidiaries of Sumalindo Group since 2008 which is engaged in natural forest management with an area of 355,800 Ha. PT Essam Timber is the largest forest concession in the Heart of Borneo region with an area of more than 350,000 Ha located on the border of Kayan Mentarang National Park, East Kalimantan.