MSMEs important partner to improve forest governance and reducing deforestation and forest degradation

Micro, small and medium-sized timber producers and processors play a critical role in meeting the growing demand for forest products worldwide, as well as making vital contributions to livelihoods and national economies. It is estimated that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) provide over 50 percent of total forest-related employment, with the figure in some countries as high as 80 to 90 percent of employment. Additionally, MSMEs are the main suppliers to domestic and regional markets in tropical timber-producing regions. The demand for forest products is growing significantly, placing more pressure on national forest resources. Forest sector MSMEs are central to ensuring that forest resource use is legal and sustainable into the future.

To better understand strategies to support MSMEs towards these goals, the FAO-EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Programme and the European Forest Institute (EFI) hosted a webinar entitled ‘How has supporting MSMEs to operate legally and sustainably improved forest governance and livelihoods?’. The webinar explored how changes in forest-management and timber processing practices generated through the support of the Programme and EFI have increased market access and enhanced the competitiveness of MSMEs while reducing their vulnerability to shifts in international and domestic markets.

Read more about the event here: http://www.fao.org/in-action/eu-fao-flegt-programme/news-events/news-de…