Unregistered firm exports teak illegally
Mohammad Bashir; 24/6/08
An Indian teak log buyer who is not registered to operate a company in PNG was allowed by the PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) to harvest and export logs at the Brown River Teak plantation, according to documents obtained by The National. The company, known as Batavia Exim and Contracting (S) Pty Ltd (BECPL), which was originally based in Singapore, was initially a buyer of teak from the Brown River Forestry Partnership Ltd (BRFP) which was jointly owned by a New Zealander named Gary Meroiti and a PNG national named John H Goidai. Officials from the Indian company flew in and out on import runs for its company and its staff never had work permits to work in PNG, documents obtained from the PNGPFA indicate.
See: http://www.thenational.com.pg/062408/nation3.php
Tags: Environment, India, PNG