Republic of the Congo: A key workshop focused on the strengthening of the domestic timber sector

Opened by Mr. Guy Saturnin TSETSA, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Forestry Economy, this workshop marked an important milestone within the framework of the Project to Support the Sustainable Development of the National Timber Sector, Domestic Timber Market (MIB), funded by the European Union and implemented by ATIBT Congo.

The objective of this meeting was to present the consolidated results of the study to stakeholders, while gathering their comments and contributions to enrich the final report. This participatory approach ensured collective ownership of the results and strengthened the relevance of the recommendations made.

The result of several months of work, the study is based on in-depth field surveys conducted in several key cities—Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, Dolisie, Sibiti, and Ouesso—as well as on close dialogue with local actors in the sector: artisans, transporters, traders, and processors.

For Alain Bertin TIOTSOP, ATIBT Congo Representative, this final workshop serves a dual purpose: to transparently share the study’s findings and to collaboratively develop, with all stakeholders, a final document that is consensual, actionable, and useful for the sector.

This study is a central activity of the MIB project. It aims to lay the groundwork for better organization of the domestic market, strengthen forest governance, and to support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector.

Two key pillars guide the project: improving sustainable management mechanisms for the domestic timber sector and strengthening the technical, operational, and financial capacities of stakeholders.

The results of this study will thus help guide the project’s next steps and contribute to the sustainable and inclusive development of the domestic timber sector in the Republic of the Congo.