|
Business |
FA launches five-year plan to
boost forestry
Strategies designed to keep sector
attuned with devt: Pruaitch
THE PNG Forest Authority has launched
a plan that will plot the agency’s strategic directions for the
next five years to further boost the country’s forestry sector.
These directions had been developed to recognise changes that
are occurring locally, regionally and internationally,
particularly in the timber and climate change,” caretaker Forest
Minister Patrick Pruaitch revealed during the corporate plan’s
launching last Friday.
He said the corporate plan would attempt to translate the
Government’s 2005-2010 medium-term development strategy, which
aimed to improve the national economy through increased export
income, hence enable the Government to improve infrastructure,
social services and reduce poverty levels particularly in the
rural areas.
Saying the corporate strategy was vital to the timber industry,
the sector is contributing an average of K350 million to K400
million in foreign exchange earnings to the gross domestic
product (GDP) and K120 million to K130 million in export duty.
He noted that the forestry sector was still one of the key
players in bringing tangible development to rural and
less-developed areas throughout the country.
“In 2006, the total log harvest was 3.389 million cubic metres
and provided more than K34 million in timber royalties to the
landowners,” Mr Pruaitch said.
He mentioned that export of round logs totalled 2.638 million
cubic metres, earning K490 million in foreign exchange and
generating K168 million in export duty.
And as of last May, the cumulative log harvest was 1.482 million
cubic metres, earning more than K18 million in timber royalties
and levies to landowners and the Government.
The cumulative volume of round log exports up to the end of last
March was 0.829 million cubic meters, earning K168 in foreign
exchange and K44 million in taxes to internal revenue.
Mr Pruaitch said the plan provided the strategic overview and
directions for the next five years and would be continually
reviewed to ensure it was in line with the Government’s
development policies and the needs of the people, especially the
resource owners.
 
|
