Government intends to introduce the use of permits to authorise importation of foreign wood species, according to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, who has lamented the need to resort to imports to meet local demand.
Trotman made the disclosure while meeting with representatives of local hardware stores and lumberyards as part of its ongoing consultations on the impact of the high local demand for pine wood imports, particularly from the United States.
Among the local businesses represented were Jettoo’s Lumber Yard, Gafoors, National Hardware, Builders’ Lumber Yard and Chetram’s Lumber Yard.