The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) released the last 2014 issue of its Tropical Forest Update focused on value-added timber based industries in tropical countries.
The update notes that such "downstream" industries can support sustainable forest management (SFM), provide significant livelihood and employment benefits and contribute to national economies.
January 2015: The last 2014 issue of Tropical Forest Update, published by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), focuses on value-added timber based industries in tropical countries. The update notes that such “downstream” industries can support sustainable forest management (SFM), provide significant livelihood and employment benefits and contribute to national economies.
The update highlights ITTO support for downstream industries including through projects focused on: the use of “lesser-used” timber species in Guyana and in Peru; increased use of rubberwood in Indonesia; and enhanced efficiency in timber processing plants through in-house training in Cameroon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. Projects on threatened species were undertaken in ramin hedge orchards in Indonesia and the iroko plantations in Cote d’Ivoire.
In addition to projects, the update notes that the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) approved US$8.3 million in new funding at its 50th Session, while the ITTO Fellowship Program celebrated its 25th anniversary. [ITTO Press Release] [Publication: Tropical Forest Update – Volume 23, No. 4]