Timber firm lauded

By ANCILLA WRAKUALE
A MAJOR timber company has been awarded the forest stewardship council (FSC) for complying well with forest management standards.
East New Britain-based Open Bay Timber Ltd was the first for any timber company to received a major certification.
FSC is an international membership organisation created in 1996 and brings together people to promote responsible forest management and to find solutions to the problems created by bad forestry practices.
Open Bay has been in PNG for more than 40 years and is the only Japanese timber company here.
Speaking at a small event to mark the company’s achievement last Friday at Crowne Plaza, ambassador of Japan to PNG Hiroharu Iwasaki congratulated the company for their milestone achievement.
“In the international scene, 2011 was the year for forest and Open Bay is the proud recipient of the FSC as the first for any timber company operating in PNG, in recognition of its successful efforts in forestation management.
“This is a great achievement by the company and we are proud of Open Bay Timber,” Iwasaki said.
He said forest played a vital role in the cycle of life and the environment, therefore it should be managed sustainably.
“I trust that Open Bay Timer will continue to strengthen forestation in its community environment in compliance with the standard of Recognition, paying full attention to the environment for the benefit of future generation.
“I believe this success would inspire the company to continue enhancing sustainable forest management in PNG.
Iwasaki said he hoped the company would expand its manmade forest and at the same time promote the country‘s economic goals and contribute to climate change mitigation.