Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ministry probes exports of luxury wood to Hong Kong

Ministry probes exports of luxury wood to Hong Kong

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The Dimsum Daily Hong Kong on May 5 reported that Hong Kong Customs had seized the shipment with an estimated market value of about HK$1.1 million ($142,000) from seven containers. HONG KONG CUSTOMS

Ministry probes exports of luxury wood to Hong Kong

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries denied that it had allowed the exports of luxury wood from Koh Kong province to Hong Kong.

The denial came after the Hong Kong Customs reportedly seized about 211 tonnes of logs from an endangered tree species from Cambodia between April 29 and May 5.

The ministry said it was investigating the case.

Minister Veng Sakhon said on May 13 that over the last few years, especially since he took office, he had prohibited wood from endangered trees to be sold and exported.

He said Prime Minister Hun Sen announced the suspension of exporting this type of wood to the international market years ago.

The minister noted that he had assigned Forestry Administration officials to determine how the logs were transported from the Kingdom.

“We are investigating this and I will announce the results later,” he said.

However, Sakhon could not give a time frame for the investigation as it depended on collaboration with all relevant parties.

The Dimsum Daily Hong Kong on May 5 reported that Hong Kong Customs had seized the shipment with an estimated market value of about HK$1.1 million ($142,000) from seven containers at the Kwai Chung Custom house Cargo Examination Compound and the Tsing Yi Customs Cargo Examination Compound.

This was the largest seizure of its type by Hong Kong customs over the past five years.

Through risk assessment, customs officers selected the containers that arrived in Hong Kong from Cambodia. Upon inspection, the shipment of logs was found inside the containers.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom