This article was originally published on Jakarta Globe and is republished with permission.

Jakarta. Indonesia and the European Union are preparing to implement the world's first Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement, or FLEGT-VPA, almost 10 years after initial negotiations began in 2007.

The Joint Implementing Committee between Indonesia and the EU Commission will meet in Brussels May 18 to determine an implementation date, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry first initiated a mandatory verification system of legal logging (SVLK) with the EU to ensure the credibility of exported timber products.

Since being implemented in January 2013, the SVLK has had a number of amendments to comply with improvements to Indonesia's laws and the interests of stakeholders.

Most recently, the SVLK has been amended after regulations issued this year by the Trade and Forestry Ministries, both aiming to address the legality and preservation of forestry resources.

Currently, Indonesia’s small-medium businesses require government assistance and facilitation in acquiring SVLK certification to enable them to exporting to Europe.

At least 70 percent out of the listed 1,634 furniture exporters have acquired SVLK certificates, with the remaining to be facilitated before the implementation of FLEGT-VPA.

The government, through its related ministries, wants to promote legal Indonesian logging products to the global markets, especially Europe.

Jakarta. Indonesia and the European Union are preparing to implement the world's first Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement, or FLEGT-VPA, almost 10 years after initial negotiations began in 2007.

The Joint Implementing Committee between Indonesia and the EU Commission will meet in Brussels May 18 to determine an implementation date, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry first initiated a mandatory verification system of legal logging (SVLK) with the EU to ensure the credibility of exported timber products.

Since being implemented in January 2013, the SVLK has had a number of amendments to comply with improvements to Indonesia's laws and the interests of stakeholders.

Most recently, the SVLK has been amended after regulations issued this year by the Trade and Forestry Ministries, both aiming to address the legality and preservation of forestry resources.

Currently, Indonesia’s small-medium businesses require government assistance and facilitation in acquiring SVLK certification to enable them to exporting to Europe.

At least 70 percent out of the listed 1,634 furniture exporters have acquired SVLK certificates, with the remaining to be facilitated before the implementation of FLEGT-VPA.

The government, through its related ministries, wants to promote legal Indonesian logging products to the global markets, especially Europe.