PM Marape has issued a very strong call to industry participants in the forestry sector to begin downstream processing  timber in the country. https://postcourier.com.pg/marape-pushes-downstream-processing/

Or if not, he said they should “pack up today and leave our shores.”

He issued the warning before a high-level meeting yesterday at APEC Haus, Ela Beach, Port Moresby.

In attendance were members of the National Forest Authority (NFA), government representatives and sector players.

In addition, he ordered NFA to stop issuing new licenses to logging operators which have no downstream processing plans. 

And that, he said, NFA gives ‘round log’ permits to landowner companies instead.https://pngsun.com/2020/06/14/png-eyes-asian-coffee-market/

We are all in the business of adding value to our resources.

You (existing loggers) have the first opportunity to partner government into the downstream space.

If you are not in the mindset of partnering government, pack up today and leave our shores.

NO DOWNSTREAM POLICY MEANS NO NEW LICENCE

Prime Minister said they would not issue licenses to new applicants if there was absence of clear evidence of downstream policy.

NFA will give new licenses to landowner companies which their provincial governments and DDAs assist if they wish to.

Our people are capable of chopping down trees.

We do not need rocket science. As a business, we must engage our locals to do this.

Thus, the Prime Minister also ordered NFA to start being more effective in managing the forestry resources of the country.

He wants to see big improvements in NFA’s management heading to 2025. This is  when Papua New Guinea celebrates its Golden Jubilee.

“Forestry has been a very important participant in our economy over the last 46 years since Independence. However, the value of return on our timber harvest to our local economy and environment has left our nation in despair on many fronts.”

The aim of the meeting was not only to formally introduce the newly-appointed board of NFA. Also, it was to launch its various strategic policy documents.

They included the NFA Corporate Plan 2021-2030, the National Strategies for Reforestation and Afforestation 2020-2024, National Strategies for Downstream Processing of PNG Forest Produce 2020-2024, the Revised PNG Logging Code of Practice 2nd Edition 2020, and the State of the Forestry Sector in PNG.