EU provides 2m euros in grant

JAKARTA (JP): The European Union (EU) will provide 2 million euros (about US$1.6 million) in grants over the next three years to help the ministry of forestry set up an illegal logging response center (ILRC).

The EU's representative office announced on Friday that the establishment of the ILRC is needed to curb the growth of illegal logging activities in Indonesia, particularly in national parks and protected forests.

The center will also assist in the dissemination of information about illegal logging practices and promote the public's role in fighting such illicit operations.

The European Commission and non-profit organizations based in member countries of the European Union have so far provided about 1.75 billion euros to support Indonesia's forestry projects. The amount is about 75 percent of the total forestry grant received by the Indonesian government.