Boon for forestry ministry<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Forestry said yesterday the
\nrupiah value of reforestation funds collected this month jumped
\nby Rp 12 billion (US$4 million) because of the rupiah's
\ndepreciation.<\/p>\n
Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo said more than
\n90 percent of forest concessionaires paid their reforestation
\nfees in dollars.<\/p>\n
The ministry collected $24.8 million in fees this month.<\/p>\n
The minister did not disclose the windfall gains made from the
\nestimated Rp 6 trillion in total reforestation funds accumulated
\nsince they were introduced in early 1980s.<\/p>\n
The funds, managed by the ministry, are kept in state bank
\nterm deposits.<\/p>\n
Forestry companies have to pay the fees which are intended to
\nguarantee that forests are managed in an environmentally
\nsustainable manner.<\/p>\n
In 1996, the government collected Rp 880.7 billion, up from Rp
\n809.6 billion in 1995.<\/p>\n
Djamaludin said the weakening of rupiah should be a boon for
\nforestry companies because most plywood companies exported their
\nproducts for dollars, but had their debts in rupiah.<\/p>\n
\"The profit of state-owned forestry companies will increase
\nbecause most of their products are exported,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Their profits, however, depend on where they export their
\nproducts, because Japan has reduced its plywood imports,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Forest concessionaires also have to pay the government
\nroyalties from their exports. (08)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/boon-for-forestry-ministry-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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