The deep, dark woods: Navigating the illegal timber trade

Moody’s Talks: KYC Decoded

You may be familiar with yacht owners being sanctioned, but what of the potential risks tied to the yachts themselves? Burmese teak wood, commonly found in marine vessels, is known for its exceptional quality, natural water resistance, and premium price tag. Unfortunately, that price tag is not nearly as steep as the potential consequences of supporting the illegal timber trade.
In this episode of KYC Decoded, we're honored to welcome Kate Klikis, forest campaigner and Myanmar timber expert from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). In an enlightening conversation with host, Alex Pillow, Kate educates us on the illegal timber trade and its greater implications. Key topics include:

• The differences between legal and illegal timber trading
• The illegal timber trade in Myanmar
• Global regulations to combat the illegal timber trade
• Industries most vulnerable to risks associated with illegal timber trading
• The integrated risks involved with illegal deforestation, sanctions, money laundering, bribery and corruption, counterfeiting, and more

If you would like to learn more, check out the recommended resources shared during this episode below:

• The Croatian Connection Exposed
• EIA forest reports
• Acts of Defiance: How US traders are ignoring sanctions to import conflict teak from Myanmar
• EIA YouTube channel
• EIA LinkedIn
• EIA Instagram
• EIA Facebook
• EIA Threads

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