The Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) has been urged to reduce log exports in favour of downstream processing and sustainable forest management.
The advice has come from Dutch timber marketing expert Rolf Thie, called in by the PNGFA to give guidance on the country’s future forestry operations.
Mr Thie said a marketing plan should be implemented which ensures high quality logs are available for the local timber industry through reducing exports.
Downstream processing would provide more employment for young people, he said, and he stressed the need for landowner participation at all levels of project development.
