Timber Forest Products Marketing Study
| Location | Guyana |
|---|---|
| Start | 2001 |
| Finish | 2001 |
| Client | Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development |
Summary
Iwokrama is a not-for-profit research and development organisation that aims to demonstrate how tropical forest biodiversity can be conserved and sustainably utilised for ecological, social and economic benefits. It manages 3700km2 of forests in the heart of Guyana as a protected area.
Problem
To contribute to the sustainable utilisation goal, Iwokrama needed advice on the range of timber products that can be marketed, and to where and who, from this forest area, given local capacity and infrastructure. They also had limited information on the product development and investment needs to support such marketing.
Solution
The aim of the study was to identify a range of timber products with strong market potential that could be sustainably produced from the Iwokrama forest. The study also identified domestic, regional and international markets for sale of these products, identified approaches to product development and marketing, and identified investment needs for product development.
LTS prepared a report that identified the geographical location of potential timber markets and their relative short and longer-term prospects, product requirements and demand for recognised indicators of socially and environmentally responsible business practices. The report analysed current private sector perspectives on investment needs and priorities in the Guyanese forest products sector and the estimated financial requirements to meet potential national and international market demands, both in terms of order size and product specification and quality.
Benefits
The report allowed Iwokrama to better assess the potential for commercialisation of timber products in the reserve, including consideration of sustainable benefits for local people.
