Mozambique loses 700 million dollars a year due to timber smuggling, said the national director of Forestry, Cláudio Afonso, during a sector seminar held in Quelimane.

Against this backdrop, the authorities are developing a management and control instrument for the forestry sub-sector.

Quoted by Notícias, Cláudio Afonso said that the instrument will be an automated Forest Information System that aims to improve the flow of management and inspection actions in the forestry sector.

According to the source, the Forestry Information System will be fully operational next year. It is believed that computerization will bring greater transparency and interactivity to the forestry sector, enabling faster processes and more informed decision-making.

With this system, forestry operators will be able to apply for permits remotely and electronically.