Guyana and the European Union (EU) have agreed to commence formal negotiations later this year on entering into a forestry partnership, which would ensure ready access to the EU market for Guyana’s wood products.
The aim is to conclude negotiations on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) by September 2015, according to an agreed roadmap which will be developed jointly, a joint statement from the two partners said yesterday. “Guyana and the EU will work towards an agreement which should define clear objectives of adding value to forest governance, forest industry development and sustainability of the forestry sector. Negotiations will also take into account the implications on the non-timber sector,