ECUADOR - The Ministry of Environment of Ecuador distinguished 5 companies in the sector with the “Punto Verde Forestal” recognition.

The recognition was made during the Sacha Awards that celebrated their third edition on November 14th at the Quito’s Botanical Garden. The five “Punto Verde Forestal” awards were given to the representatives of Cultex S.A., Aglomerados Cotopaxi S.A., Festa S.A., Novopan del Ecuador S.A. and Endesa Botrosa S.A.

In addition to being among the five companies distinguished with the “Punto Verde Forestal”, Novopan also stood out by receiving two Sacha awards in the Forestry Plantation Projects category for its constant innovation, investment in technology and forestry development in commercial plantations.

Regarding the “Punto Verde Forestal” recognition, Sindel Vinueza, Undersecretary of Natural Heritage, acknowledged that this mechanism “encourages more fair and responsible marketing processes that will benefit communities that depend on forests. We participate in the process of controlling legal timber to citizens. We are determined to work for conservation but also for the development of communities that depend on forests.”

Agustín Zimmermann, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, congratulated this initiative of the Government of Ecuador and acknowledged that this effort “represents that, through successful governance processes, conservation and development can be combined.”