SWITCH-Asia

The Challenge

Due to unprecedented economic growth and development in India, China and Vietnam, increased demand for natural resources is placing pressure on forests. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) often buy wood that has been produced unsustainably, possibly illegally, and so stimulating the demand for unsustainable and illegal wood. To exacerbate this, related forest degradation in Asia results in increased flooding, mudslides and wildfires as a result of forest loss.

The Objectives

The project seeks to engage at least 600 SME wood processors in the target countries to enable them to apply sustainable production techniques and to provide certified sustainable forest products to national and international markets by 2012.

The Way Forward

• This project built capacity SME of wood processors to enable responsible sourcing and production of forest products;
• It linked these SMEs with buyers and forest managers that are parts of the Global Forest and Trade Network;
• Assisted companies throughout the supply chain to utilise products sourced from responsibly managed forests, maximise their access to the market, and trade on their responsible business credentials;
• 45 SMEs have joined the GFTN and smaller SMEs have started the GFTN application process;
• Over 600 smaller SMEs gained awareness of SCP.