The Central American Bank for Economic Integration approved a $24 million extension of an existing line of credit, funds that will be invested in the implementation of sustainable production models and forest management and reforestation.
These funds will be used to increase financing for the "Bio-CLIMA Project: Integrated Climate Action to Reduce Deforestation and Strengthen Resilience in the Bosawas and Rio San Juan Biosphere Reserves" on Nicaragua's Caribbean Coast.
The IDB approved a $9.2 million credit for the government to implement a forest management project that will benefit 225 forestry companies.
The funds will be used in climate change adaptation and mitigation programs, through the Sustainable Forest Management project, reported the government of Guatemala.
Through a cooperation agreement with the Mexican government, El Salvador will reforest nearly 50,000 hectares of land in different parts of the country.
The presidents of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, and of the United Mexican States, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, signed on June 20 in Tapachula, state of Chiapas, a cooperation agreement for the planting of 50,000 hectares in El Salvador, a project that will generate 20,000 jobs and is part of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for Central America, informed the presidency of El Salvador.
The Senate has approved a loan agreement signed between the country and the Inter-American Development Bank, and the funds will be used for the Sustainable Agroforestry Development program.
The Senate of the Dominican Republic has reported that the resources will be used to finance the Sustainable Agroforestry Development program which will be executed by the Executing Technical Unit of Projects at the Agroforestry Development of the Presidency of the Republic (UTPDA) and the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.This initiative was sent by the Executive Power.
The first disbursement of $8 million has been made for forest recovery, restoration, management, production and protection in Guatemala.
The first payment made by the National Forest Institute (Inab) and the Ministry of Public Finance will be allocated to 4,129 projects, corresponding to 33,200 hectares of low-management forest.
Representatives of the union in Nicaragua announced that this year they plan to plant between 1,200 and 1,500 hectares, which will be added to the 28,000 already planted in recent years.
In relation to the plans for this year, Salvador Mayorga Sacasa, president of the National Reforestation Association, informed Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "..." this year we expect to increase by between 1,200 and 1,500 hectares.It's a small amount, really, because the country could grow in this sector much more.'"
In 2016, 965 thousand cubic meters of roundwood were processed, 77% of which came from forest plantations, 17% from land and agriculture use, and 5% from forests.
From the summary of the National Forest Office (ONF) report :
As part of the results of this report, the primary wood processing industry, including stationary and portable units, is estimated to have processed 965,602 cubic meters of roundwood (m3-r).Of this volume, 745,267 m3-r (77.2%) came from forest plantations, 171,017 m3-r from land for agricultural use (17.7%) and 49,318 m3-r from forests (5.1%).Based on the above information, an increase of 0.9% is confirmed compared to the volume of logs reported in 2015.
The Assembly approved extending to the forestry sector a program of fiscal incentives, such as exemption of income tax, real estate and introduction, among others.
From a statement issued by from the National Assembly:
A few months after finalizing a series of prerogatives for forestry activities, the full legislature approved, in a third debate, extending this program of fiscal incentives, in order to meet the objectives of the Alliance for the Million Reforestated Hectares and the Sustainable Development Objectives 2030.
It has been announced that in the coming weeks a system will be implemented that will allow online management of permits for exports of round and processed wood.
Representatives from the National Association of Reforestors (Confor) explained that the current process of obtaining export permits takes about 7 days, but with the new digital system, the time is expected to be reduced to two or three days.
Cheaper wood imports from Chile and an increasing demand for substitute products such as perling and gypsum are some of the reasons for the decline in local production.
Figures from the National Forestry Office indicate that the area planted with forest plantations went from"... between 130,000 and 140,000 hectares in the best years of the late 1990s to the just about 60,000 hectares currently estimated."The entry of Chilean wood at lower cost and the preference for synthetics, which are also cheaper, is affecting the performance of the local forestry sector."
The National Environment Authority of Panama is putting out to tender restoration and reforestation services with forest and fruit species in 12,350 hectares.
Panama Government Purchase 2017-1-08-0-02-LV-022603:
"Restoration / Reforestation Service of 1,275 hectares with Forest and Fruit Species, within the PROCUENCAS Program and the Alliance for One Million Hectares in the Rio Grande River Basin."
The bill presented by the government includes exemption from income tax and property taxes and for transfers of companies engaged in reforestation activities.
From a statement issued by from the National Assembly:
Environment Minister, Mirei Endara, presented on Wednesday, to the plenary of the National Assembly, a draft law establishing an incentive program to restore forest cover and promote conservation of natural forests.
A bill put forward by the executive branch proposes tax breaks and direct non-refundable financing for implementing restoration or reforestation plans.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
The Cabinet has endorsed a bill that aims to encourage increased forest cover and promote conservation of natural forests in the country, through the promotion of activities inherent and necessary for efficient management of the forest.
In 2016, 800 40ft containers containing teak and rosewood were exported to India and Vietnam, and this year the union of reforesters plans to export 5,000 containers.
The process of planting timber trees began about 20 years ago, and now, explained spokesmen from the union of reforesters, the first results are starting to be seen.
The Ortega administration has authorized the suspension for one year on the ban on cutting, harvesting and marketing of timber from pine trees in the country.
Decree 02-2017 was published in the official newspaper La Gaceta on January 13 and states:"... it is suspended throughout the national territory, including protected areas, the ban on cutting, harvesting, transportation and marketing of pine trees for a period of 12 months, which may be extended with the support of studies and technical and administrative recommendations made by the National Forestry Institute (Inafor), with the approval of the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR)."