The forestry sector contributes 1.3% to Fiji’s GDP and this year alone projections are $32m or 2% of GDP.
Minister for Fisheries and Forests Ratu Osea Naiqamu says actual domestic exports from 2010-2013 averaged $67.4m annually.
He adds the forecast for 2014 to 2016 is projected at $99.5m annually.
However, Naiqamu says there is a growing concern amongst stake holders about illegal activities of harvesting of forests and fisheries resources
We’re firmly committed to tackling this problem by boosting our monitoring, surveillance and compliance operations and adopting the proper legal framework to control and minimize this unwanted and unwarranted hostile activities to ensure this resources provide economic returns for generations to come. Therefore one of my first jobs will be to review and finalize fisheries and forest sector legislation to enhance our ability to perform this core con scions across the nation.
Ratu Naiqamu says the Ministry has been forecasting a high yield and highly valued products that will generate greater and more sustainable returns.
The Ministry aims to complete the national forest inventory in 2015 which gives an insight into the distribution, density and composition of Fiji’s forests together with detailed forest cover maps.
