THE Minister of Forestry and Research, Makario Tagini has applauded the government and people of Japan through the Japanese Embassy in Honiara for their continuous support to his ministry.
Minister Tagini was speaking at the official handing over of 67 portable saw mills funded by Japan to the Ministry of Forestry and Research (MoFR) at the VATA Yard at Henderson last week.
“Let me take this moment in time to sincerely thank the government of Japan through its Embassy in Honiara for the kind gesture and ongoing cordial partnership with MoFR in providing the 67 portable mills to assist resources owners, in particular timber entrepreneurs, to boost their timber productions for both domestic sales and exports.”
Minister Tagini said the Japanese government through its Embassy in Honiara continues to be the ministry’s strategic partner in the recent years in the implementation of a number of programs.
“JICA and MoFR are jointly implementing pilot programs on sustainable forest resource management with community participation at Falake in West Kwara’ae, Malaita Province and at Komuniboli in Guadalcanal Province from 2017 to 2022.”
He said the aim of these programs is to empower community resource owners to participate in meaningful management of their forest resources to sustain their livelihood and promote good management of their forests.
Minister Tagini said his ministry is indeed thankful for this partnership under which the portable mills are provided, adding that these machines will really assist recipients with their timber milling productions and thereby contribute significantly to the national economy.
“This all also addresses one of the government’s fundamental key policy areas to promote and encourage timber downstream processing and value-adding to enhance timber productions.
“GNUT is committed to promote sustainability in the forestry sector and will fully support the forestry policy on downstream processing and valued-added timber products head-on,” he said.
Minister Tagini said he looks forward to a continued strong and productive partnership with Japan to drive long-term innovative growth in the country’s forestry sector.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
