• Lack of a timber auction floor encourages corruption.
• Timber producers should be given fair prices.
• People need to be sensitized on how to apply for timber harvesting licenses.

Timber Producers Association of Zambia (TPAZ) has called on Government to implement the establishment of a Timber Auction Floor as proposed in the 2018 budget.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association President Charles Masange said absence of a timber auction floor encourages corruption, capital flight and loss of government revenue because timber exports are not transparent.
Mr. Masange stated that this will not only give timber producers fair prices but will also provide the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) a platform to properly tax timber trade.
“Timber prices are currently trading at USD37, 000 on the local Market while about USD100 on the Export market,” he disclosed.
He added that at the moment, there are furniture manufacturers in the country, who are exporting timber; a practice he said is in contravention of government policy.
“Once the timber auction floor is established, only timber traded at the floor should be granted export permits, there will be order and timber will be sold at higher price,” Mr Masange said.
He urged the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to sensitize people on how to apply for timber harvesting licenses as the majority of them do not know the procedure.