Reforestation fee in rupiah

Reforestation fee in rupiah

JAKARTA (JP): The government is considering setting
reforestation fees paid by forest concession holders in rupiah
instead of the U.S. dollar, Antara said Saturday.

Minister of Forestry Djamaludin Suryohadikusumo told the news
agency he had submitted the proposal to President Soeharto.

"If the change is approved, we will introduce the new policy
this year," he said.

The switch in the fee payment currency was necessary due to
the fluctuation in the value of the rupiah against the U.S.
dollar, he said. The change will ensure certainty for timber
companies, he added

The government currently charges a reforestation fee of $15
for every cubic meter of forest land leased to concession
holders.

Djamaludin said he had also ordered all state forestry
companies to sell their logs in rupiah.

"The instruction was issued on Sept. 15," he said. If any
state company still sells its logs in dollars, please inform me."
(08)