The Upper Berbice Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd (UBMCSL) has commissioned a portable sawmill facility at Kwakwani as part of efforts to expand its timber-processing operations and generate greater returns for its 164 members.
The facility includes an LT70 portable sawmill valued at approximately $18 million and close to $4.7 million in joinery equipment, office supplies, personal protective gear and other timber-processing tools. The equipment was provided under the European Union-funded Sustainable Forest Livelihoods (SFL) programme.
A Community Forest Management Plan covering 18 small concessions totalling approximately 98,070 hectares was also handed over to the cooperative at the commissioning ceremony. The plan, which covers the period 2025 to 2028, outlines measures for balancing timber production, members’ livelihoods and biodiversity protection.
Since 2024, members of the cooperative have received training in reduced-impact logging, forest-management decision-making, administration and record-keeping. The cooperative has also received assistance in preparing an operational and business plan for the sawmill.
Those attending the ceremony included European Union Ambassador to Guyana Luca Pierantoni; Commissioner of Forests Edward Goberdhan; UBMCSL Chairman Anton Thom; GFC/SFL Project Lead Simone Benn; WWF-Guianas Conservation Director Aiesha Williams; and SFL Country Programme Coordinator Sara Henry.
Williams said the establishment of the facility was the result of cooperation among the community, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the European Union and WWF-Guianas.
“This facility did not happen because of the efforts of one organisation alone,” she said. “It happened because communities brought their vision, resources and commitment, the Guyana Forestry Commission provided leadership and technical support, the European Union provided financing and commitment, and WWF worked alongside these partners to help turn that vision into reality.”
Goberdhan said the sawmill and joinery shop would allow the cooperative to move beyond harvesting and further along the timber value chain through processing and the manufacture of value-added products.
He said the group, with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the GFC, had invested approximately $20 million in the project.
“This is a testament to their dedication to sustainable forest management and economic development,” Goberdhan said. He added that the GFC would continue to provide technical guidance and support to forest-dependent communities.
Pierantoni said the investment went beyond the commissioning of equipment and was intended to strengthen local enterprises while demonstrating that sustainable forest management could provide lasting economic opportunities.
“It is about investing in people, strengthening local enterprises, and demonstrating that sustainable forest management can create lasting economic opportunities while protecting one of Guyana’s greatest natural assets,” he said.
The cooperative is also expected to receive a log loader valued at approximately $19 million through the SFL Grant Investment Mechanism. The competitive financing window is open to forest-based communities, community-based organisations and entrepreneurs in the timber and nature-based tourism sectors in regions Two and Ten.
According to information provided at the event, the mechanism attracted 50 proposals after it was launched in mid-2025. Twelve were shortlisted for further development, and WWF-Guianas is preparing to sign the first grant agreements. UBMCSL is among the leading candidates for support.
The SFL programme has been implemented by WWF-Guianas in partnership with the GFC since 2024. It is intended to support Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy by strengthening sustainable forest management and encouraging greater local processing of forest products.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with a demonstration of the portable sawmill.
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