High hopes for forestry future

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Thursday 12th April 2001

There's a prediction that forestry and wood processing could become the country's top overseas exchange earner if the industry is developed.

Deputy Prime Minister, Jim Anderton, says the government is making the forestry and wood processing industries a priority and wants to unlock the jobs potential from the country's forests.

"By aiming to process 50% of the harvested trees we could create an additional 2000 jobs in the Gisborne region alone, and increase foreign exchange earnings.

Mr Anderton was speaking after the second meeting of the Wood Processing Industry Steering Group, which discussed how to deal with the increase of maturing wood in regions.

"For example, the East Coast will have a 240% increase in the next five years," he says.

"A key issue is getting skilled workers for industry. Options being explored by the Department of Labour include looking at ways of providing incentives to get people off benefits and into training and work."

The meeting included forestry and wood processing companies, manufacturers, local authority and CTU representatives.

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