The government has underscored the need to unlock Zambia’s Forest Economy for sustainable growth through forestry investment in line with the Grow Zambia Agenda.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Gilbert Siame has noted that the forestry sector has potential to create millions of revenue, create jobs and contribute to Zambia’s growth agenda through forest plantation expansion.

Dr Siame highlighted that his ministry is ready to work with investors and is already identifying geographical areas along the strategic Lobito Corridor for wood-processing industries.

“We have a very good market and can export within the region. We can only win if we do it on a large scale,” he said.

He adds that the World Bank Group is ready to partner and collaborate with the ministry, saying that the government is also calling for investment along the TAZARA Corridor to support its expansion.

Speaking when a delegation from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce paid a courtesy call on him, Dr Siame highlighted that the ministry is targeting investment to expand forestry plantations by one million hectares.

Dr Siame noted that Zambia’s economy is growing and the demand for timber is increasing, emphasising that the country is well positioned to export timber in the region and beyond.

He described forestry as a viable sector for job creation, with opportunities across the entire value chain.

The Minister said he wants Zambia to become a leader in timber production and value addition, adding that a short documentation strategy will be established as a guide in line with the expansion project.

“Those in timber processing in China, willing to invest are fully welcome. By having more we will have accessible, affordable and quality goods, both local and for export,” Dr Siame said.

He added that the TAZARA Corridor is strategic to this goal and his ministry wants to establish aggregators and out grower schemes to drive economic growth, stressing the importance of involving traditional leaders along the sited areas.

The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Douty Chibamba adds that the forestry sector has potential in green economy particularly with the out grower schemes that will feed into the broader vision of the forest plantation.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Tie Li said the chamber is ready to work with the ministry in this regard.

Mr Tie noted that the forestry industry is relatively new to Chinese investors and proposed working through the Chinese Embassy and Chinese research institutes.

He added that aside from timber, fruit trees could also be planted to benefit local farmers.

He also proposed working with ZEMA to improve compliance policies in Zambia and encouraged more private-sector players to come on board to help make the forest expansion venture a reality.

The corridor’s favourable rainfall patterns are expected to support faster timber growth with potential sites for the plantation project already identified.

The government is also putting major infrastructure and technology in place to manage risks, including forest fires.

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