Within the frames of wide range operations carried out by the Investigation Service, in order to expose and suppress illegal logging and selling of timber, Head of the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia Mr. Levan Gamkrelidze, together with Business Ombudsman Mr. Irakli Lekvinadze met with the representatives of companies functioning in the logging and timber selling.
On the meeting, there were discussed those activities to be carried out in future, in order to put activities of enterprises working in the field of logging and timber selling within the legal frames. Businessmen were interested in how the enterprises would function in the future. As they said, companies have obligations towards their customers which can’t be fulfilled.
“Main priority of the Government is to support business activities, regulate and put within the legal frames spheres of logging and timber selling, not to have uncontrolled market in the country in these fields.” - Business Ombudsman Mr. Irakli Lekvinadze said.
“On this stage, the respective unit of the Revenue Service carries out inventory of timber mills. Starting from tomorrow, in order to support business, all those registered timber mills will be opened step by step in which inventory process would be completed” - Head of the Investigation Service Mr. Levan Gamkrelidze stated.
Mr. Levan Gamkrelidze also noted that –“massive illegal cutting of timber is impermissible, as well as it’s not allowed for licensed and legal enterprises to be in unfair conditions, compared to those enterprises functioning illegally, that cut trees in illegal way and do not pay taxes. Activities of enterprises working within the legal frames won’t be interfered. Criminal liability will be imposed towards all persons who are cutting timber illegally or are covering up crime.”
Representatives of Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia carried out investigative activities thorough the whole territory of the country, in order to expose and detect illegal cutting of timber and timber selling by means of forged tax documents and illegally working timber mills. Above mentioned investigative activities started simultaneously in Imereti, Adjara, Kakheti, Guria, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Shida Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regions.
Within the frames of investigation, legality of the activities of companies that are logging, manufacturing and selling of timber was checked. Timber mills functioning without registration were exposed. Investigative activities were carried out in 700 enterprises in total.
Investigation is underway under the Articles 210, 192, 2871 and 303 of the Criminal Code of Georgia.