By JAMES KUNDA –
THE Government is actively pursuing investors to add value to the local timber endowment as a measure to curb illegal cutting and trading of the commodity.
Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Mwansa Kapeya said in an interview that the Government was concerned by recent activities surrounding the local timber industry and wanted people do add value to the commodity, for the benefit of the country. more Zambians,” Mr Kapeya said.
Mr Kapeya said Government was encouraging local and international companies to establish timber processing factories in Zambia to create jobs for the local people and increase wood exports.
“There is a lucrative market for finished timber in Sub-Saharan Africa especially in countries surrounding Zambia such as Botswana,” he said.
Mr Kapeya said indiscriminate cutting and illegal trade of timber, especially the indigenous Mukula tree, was detrimental to the country’s economic diversification agenda in view of the diminishing copper resource.
Mr Kapeya said under the revised Forestry Act, stiffer punishment will be meted for individuals caught up in illegal timber activities.
