2018-07-26
"I wish to stress that we will not tolerate anyone engaged in unlawful timber cuts, as forests get distraught and thousands of years will be needed to re-cultivate them. Unalterable harm is thus caused to the country" noted Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia at the press briefing today.
Head of the Government of Georgia responded to the detention of 15 individuals charged for the illicit sale of timber with fake invoices and waybills detected by the Financial Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.
"I wish to once again state that we will be adamant in fighting against this unlawful malpractice and I call on everyone - irrespective of their position and ranking - if anyone is caught backing this vileness, most severe charges will be brought against them with an ultimate punishment. Financial Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia will make a further statement on this" noted the Prime Minister of Georgia.
According to the Head of the Government, tangible steps are already made to address the problem of unlawful timber cuts in the country. They include a very significant and substantial initiative submitted by the Ministry of Finance which aims to offer a VAT waiver on the import of timber.
"When we talk about the solution to the problem, we understand that only administrative measures will not be sufficient. Hence, we took a decision to waive the VAT on import of timber, which will lead to a declining incentive to cut timber in Georgia. At the same time significant restrictions will be enforced on the export of logs and boards. Regulations are very prudent and significant for the challenges that we currently face. I am confident that this regulation will enable us to recover the green surface and accelerate the so called re-forestation, i.e. re-cultivation of the plants in forests. At the same time, we welcome enterprises that create value added in the country, however if anybody wants to cut timber and sell logs and boards, this malpractice will no longer be possible" concluded the Prime Minister of Georgia.
Prime Minister's Press Office