Jakarta  - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry is continuing its efforts to increase the export value of responsibly and sustainably produced forest products.

Ristianto Pribadi, the ministry's Director of Forest Product Processing and Marketing Development, stated that efforts to boost export value will be accompanied by measures to enhance product value in the domestic market, thereby promoting the downstream processing of forest products.

He made these remarks at the opening of the International Furniture Manufacturing Components Exhibition (IFMAC) and the International Woodworking Machinery Exhibition (WOODMAC) in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Pribadi emphasized that sustainable forest management is a national strategy to ensure that forests can serve as sources of raw materials to meet the demand for wood products while maintaining ecological balance.

"The success of sustainable forest management depends on all parties involved in the wood product supply chains until they reach consumers. To this end, it is crucial to improve traceability, efficiency, and the preservation of raw material sources," he said.

According to him, in recent years, the demand for sustainably produced products has increased in the global market, aligning with the push for transparency and environmentally friendly products.

As a result, supply chain management has become a focal point for monitoring, particularly for wood products.

"We must cooperate to ensure that the raw materials used by industries are sourced from legal origins and managed sustainably," he stated.

Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry show that the value of forest product exports reached US$8.22 billion as of August.

Regarding IFMAC-WOODMAC, he mentioned that the event presents a valuable opportunity to explore technology and innovation to strengthen the connection between sustainable forests and the wood processing industry.

"The latest industrial machines and equipment will enhance the efficiency of raw material utilization, promote the use of environmentally friendly raw materials, reduce waste, and address climate change issues," he added.

Source: en.antaranews.com