26 June 2009

LTS Regional Manager Scott Geller was in Kampala attending a workshop entitled “Developing a Commercial Forestry Industry in Eastern Africa: promoting regional cooperation through using case studies from the region”. The winds of change are currently gaining strength, now blowing through the forest sector in East Africa. The winds are bringing with them a clear shift from public to private sector, especially in the area of commercial plantations. This was just one of the many conclusions to come out of a Sawlog Production Grant Scheme / Commonwealth Forestry Association Workshop held in Uganda from 22nd - 24th April, 2009.

The networking was fantastic, with many excellent contacts being made for future collaboration. There were representatives present from both public and private forest sectors in Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan and Uganda. There were also people involved directly with forestry education, training and research as well as representatives from two major private investors in the region – namely, Africa Forests (Tanzania and South Sudan) and Green Resources Ltd. (Tanzania, Mozambique, South Sudan and Uganda).

The main objective of the workshop was to have commercial forestry recognized as a business with a good potential for developing an industry in the region, as well as publicizing the pivotal role played by the private sector in achieving this goal.

Read more about the workshop here.