The Government of Myanmar’s new analysis of forestry and trade data, points indicates a multi-billion dollar illegal logging and exports black hole – showing widespread criminality and official corruption. The value of the illegal trade was estimated to be US$6 billion or four times the 2013-2014 national budgets for education and health combined. What remains to be seen is the effect it will have, when the government imposes a ban on exports of raw Myanmar timber. The move is part of an effort to reform the country’s lucrative timber industry. Currently all raw timber must be exported through the Myanmar Timber Enterprise, a government commercial arm with a monopoly in the sector.
