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Report lauds RH’s vital role in forestry
By FRANK ASAELI
A NEW report from an Australian consulting company reveals that the
forestry industry plays a vital role in efforts to eradicate rural
poverty in PNG.
The report, entitled The Economic Contribution of Rimbunan Hijau’s
Operations in PNG, found that forestry is a major contributor to
economic and social development in the rural areas.
It funds much of the infrastructure such as roads, bridges and airstrips
and services like health and education.
In the Gulf province, its contribution exceeded Government spending by
as much as 80%, said the report which was commissioned by RH.
The findings demonstrated what the industry could do to promote economic
development in PNG, RH managing director James Lau said at the launching
of the report in Port Moresby yesterday.
He said RH’s ability to contribute to the country “has been clear to us
since our first harvest”.
“Our work in rural areas brings employment, transport, health care and
education to the people who would otherwise go without,” he said.
Recently, the group also committed funds to support anti-HIV/AIDS
programmes.
The report by ITS Global said the industry contributed about K187
million to the PNG economy last year, accounting for 5% of the exports
and employing more than 9,000 people.
Mr Lau said that despite its contribution, particularly in the rural
areas, the industry continued to be attacked by non-governmental
organisations.
He said the industry was learning more about sustainable forestry
management and applying it.
“RH is working more closely with international agencies and exchanging
knowledge with other forest companies around the world to improve our
practices.”
Mr Lau said that regardless of the baseless allegations, as the leading
logging operator in the country, RH would continue to take a leading
role in maximising the benefits to the country and people from the
industry.
ITS Global principal Alan Oxley, who wrote the report, described the
forestry industry as a good corporate citizen.
He said RH, for example, employed more than 4,000 forestry workers,
contributed just under K80 million a year to the economy and nearly K70
million a year in levies, royalties and duties.
“Its contributions go a long way to improving the outlook of Papua New
Guineans,” he said.
Forestry Minister Belden Namah, who was presented with a copy of the
report, said he was very impressed by it and by RH’s decision to
commission it.
He said the report was timely as it revealed to the Government the
industry’s positive contributions.
 
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