Drago Bozovich Noriega: “Without sustainability there is nothing” – Correo Newspaper
Drago Bozovich Noriega, CEO of Maderera Bozovich, highlights Peru's great potential in the foreign market but also warns about the limitations that hinder the development of the forestry sector.
"If it's a business, someone will always be there, protecting the forest, taking care of it, working on it, and providing employment. It's a very beautiful virtuous circle of permanent sustainability.”, he states, emphasizing the importance of a rational and sustainable use of forest resources.
Company Evolution
The company has experienced significant growth. Initially, they were dedicated to the production of raw wood, but today they are present in multiple markets with high-value-added products.
"Currently, our floors arrive varnished and ready to install not only in Peru but also in countries as far away as Russia and New Zealand. It is gratifying to bring a piece of Peru to places where they often don’t even know the quality of what we can do."
Peru's Competitiveness in the International Market
In terms of competitiveness, Drago Bozovich is clear:
"I believe we are not competitive. We have been forced to differentiate ourselves, whether through technology, innovation, added value, or marketing. We have neighbors like Brazil and global competitors like Africa and Indonesia, which are giants in production and efficiency."
To stand out in this context, the Peruvian industry must focus on quality and specialization.
The Unique Qualities of Peruvian Wood
Peruvian wood is an exceptionally beautiful and diverse material.
"The Peruvian Amazon forest has nearly two thousand tree species, but we utilize less than twenty, which shows enormous potential. If we compare it to mining, Peruvian wood is equivalent to precious stones and gold. On the other hand, countries that produce pines and plantations, like Chile, Canada, or Russia, produce the equivalent of lead, zinc, or tin. We produce jewels, and we must value that."
The Path to Sustainable Development
For Bozovich, well-managed forestry activity is a form of conservation.
"We sustainably utilize the forest with 20 to 30-year forest management plans. If in year 21 we return to the first cutting plot, we must find it the same or better than how we left it. We are the custodians of the forest. Without sustainability, there is nothing."
Challenges of the Forestry Sector in Peru
The legal framework is one of the main problems of the sector.
"The forestry sector depends on multiple government entities that do not articulate or coordinate adequately. Instead of promoting formalization, they have created excessive regulations that drive away those trying to operate legally."
Instead of generating incentives for formal growth, bureaucratic obstacles have hindered the sector's development.
The Solution: Simplification and Regulatory Stability
Drago Bozovich Noriega states that the key to sector growth is administrative simplification and stability in the rules of the game.
"In the last fifteen years, they have changed the Forestry Law four times, but the State requires us to sign concession contracts for 40 years. How can I invest with constantly changing rules? Ensuring stability is urgent to attract investment and strengthen the industry."