This week, Indonesia’s trade minister, Gita Wirjawan, will arrive in Europe to press the case for more trade with all member states of the European Union. As part of Indonesia’s forestry business sector, with over $9 billion (€6.8 billion) in exports annually, the organisation I represent wholeheartedly supports Wirjawan’s initiative.

For European companies, Indonesia represents a substantial and growing opportunity at a time of deep economic crisis. Indonesia is the largest economy in south-east Asia, with gross domestic product (GDP) in excess of $1 trillion (€750 billion). Annual GDP growth reached 6.5% at the end of 2011. We have a thriving consumer economy, which offers great prospects for everyone from makers of smart-phones to automotive brands and plane manufacturers.

During the recent visit to Jakarta by Britain’s prime minister, David Cameron, Garuda Indonesia, Indonesia’s national airline, announced an order of 11 new planes from Airbus, bringing much needed work for the UK aviation industry. 
 

Export market

For Indonesia, Europe continues to be a significant market for our exporters. In Indonesia’s forestry sector, Europe accounts for 15% of Indonesia’s timber product exports, a figure that we would like to grow in the years ahead.
 
In order to achieve that, we understand European businesses and consumers need cast-iron assurances that their wood products do not come at the expense of the environment. Indonesia contains many of the world’s most precious natural resources and biodiversity. Indonesia’s rainforests are home to some of most endangered species on the planet, such as the Sumatran tiger, and are critical in the fight against climate change.
 
Indonesia, including the forestry sector, has recognised that deforestation is no longer an acceptable option for our country, our partners, and the environment. That is why Indonesia’s president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, made a strong commitment last year to protecting Indonesia’s rainforests and reducing the country’s greenhouse-gas emissions by 26% over the rest of this decade.
 
In the forestry sector, we have seen the very positive and practical results of these commitments – with the introduction of a new certification system for Indonesia’s timber sector, called ‘SVLK’, a programme established by the government with which all companies working with wood-based products are obliged to comply.

Legal and sustainable

SVLK, which comes into force next year, will provide the assurance to European and other customers that Indonesia’s wood products are produced in a legal and sustainable manner. Two months ago, all the major trade associations representing the forestry sector in Indonesia gathered in Jakarta to work out the practical steps required to achieve world-class timber production and trade standards through SVLK. We are now very firmly on that path, which will ultimately cover every part of the wood-product sector in Indonesia. It is a huge undertaking – but a vital one.

The timing of SVLK is very important for our European stakeholders. When the EU timber regulation comes into force in March 2013, it will require all European importers of timber to have done a high level of due diligence on the wood products they buy. By providing a simple and clear standard, SVLK licensing will make this much easier and provide a very high level of reassurance for those sourcing timber products in Indonesia.
 
We urge the European Commission, EU member states and the Indonesian government to promote awareness of SVLK in Europe and what it will mean for those who wish to trade in wood products with Indonesia. With these world-class standards in place, Indonesia’s forestry sector will be able to participate in the growing trade opportunities between our country and the EU – without sacrificing precious environmental values.
 
Finally, we would also like to call for constructive engagement with European non-governmental organisations that have taken such a strong interest in the protection of Indonesia’s natural resources over the years. The new SVLK system is something they should support and welcome. Indonesia’s forestry sector wants to work with them to help make it a success.
 
We hope that Wirjawan’s initiative marks the beginning of a new era of trade between Indonesia and EU nations. There are huge gains to be made by both sides if our economic ties can become stronger.
 
Purwadi Soeprihanto is executive director of the Association of Indonesian Forest Concessionaires (Asosiasi Pengusaha Hutan Indonesia).

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