Description:
It is estimated that exported timber only represents 5 per cent of the wood cut in tropical forests. 10 per cent is timber used locally and the majority - 85 per cent- of wood is for fuel. While exports are generally the preserve of large scale enterprises, the domestic market is dominated by small forest enterprises. In many countries the forest sector constitutes mainly small forest enterprises - employing from 10 to 100 full-time employees. They create more than half of the jobs in the forest sector and are responsible for over 50 per cent of the government revenues. While small and medium enterprises are important for local wealth creation, at the same time local environmental accountability is strengthened as they are part of the local life.