Mozambique: UNESCO adds Maputo National Park to World Heritage list
US$300 millions-worth of unofficial Mozambican wood going to China annually
12:30 CAT | 26 Feb 2016
Mozambican wood valued at US$300 million enters Chinese territory outside normal channels every year, according to the February issue of Africa Monitor.
The publication says Mozambique officially exports US$100 millions-worth of wood to China, while Chinese statistics indicate imports worth US$400 million.
Africa Monitor says the difference between the two figures has been growing steadily, reflecting the lack of effectiveness of Mozambican authorities’ efforts to stem timber smuggling.
“Mozambican wood entering China has not stopped growing since 2009, when it was less than US$90 million, until 2014, when it surpassed US$400 million,” the publication writes, adding that “the value almost doubled ” between 2013 and 2014.
The publication also talks about the exponential growth of Chinese investment in the African forestry sector, while international reports indicate the involvement of the ruling elite in the illegal wood business.
“From eight projects in 2007 to 84 in a total of 25 countries in July last year, almost all small and medium-sized enterprises. And Mozambique is one of the countries where the phenomenon is most visible,” the paper reads.
Source: Canalmoz
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