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Timber

The Solomon Islands forestry sector has been the main contributor to the economy, providing up to 80% of foreign earnings for over 40 years. The government and donor partners aim to increase domestic processing and value-adding, leading to benefits such as more jobs for locals, reduced reliance on imports, and the expansion of local businesses.

OUR Timber PROGRAM

The Solomon Islands forestry sector has been the mainstay of the economy for over 40 years, providing up to 80% of foreign earnings over that period. Recent Solomon Islands Government (SIG) initiatives in collaboration with donor partners are aimed at refocusing the industry towards increased domestic processing and value-adding. The benefits of increased domestic processing include increased employment opportunities for Solomon Islanders, less reliance on imported goods and expansion of locally owned enterprises.

The Solomon Islands forestry sector has been the main contributor to the economy, providing up to 80% of foreign earnings for over 40 years. The government and donor partners aim to increase domestic processing and value-adding, leading to benefits such as more jobs for locals, reduced reliance on imports, and the expansion of local businesses.

Strategy

  • Develop a ‘First Mile’ harvesting and transport supply chain for smallholder plantations.
  • Develop sawmilling processing capacity and milling techniques for plantation grown logs.
  • Develop the value-chain based on locally grown plantation species.
  • Promote Fuelwood and alternatives for domestic cooking.
  • Replace Natural Forest (NF) timbers with plantation timbers.
  • Establish formal ‘buy local’ structures to promote local processing and use.
  • Establish building standards, structural timber grading standards and appearance timber grading standards.

Expected Results

  • A high performing harvesting, transporting, sawmilling supply chain is established to increase use of plantation species.
  • A plantation fuelwood supply chain is established, resulting in reduced demand for NF timber.
  • The building and construction sector replace NF timbers with plantation timbers for the majority of applications.
  • The value-adding / fabrication sector invests in and adopts the usage of sustainably produced timber products. The furniture and joinery sector alter usage patterns and adopt appearance grade plantation timbers like Teak and Mangium.
  • Overall demand for plantation species increases, incentivising smallholder plantation owners to expand plantations.
  • More jobs created for women, youth, and People Living With Disability as a result of participation in scaled-up plantation species value chain.
  • Ultimately, increased net income for households.

partnership & activities

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OUR Timber NEWS

LATEST

News

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September 7, 2022

From local plantation timber to high-end furniture

August 16, 2022

Solomon Islands and Australia join together to promote women in business

August 9, 2022

Jobseekers with disabilities boosted by new employment database

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Explore Our Programs

Tackling the nation’s trade and investment challenges, we work to provide solutions for businesses and investors in the coconut, cocoa, tourism, waste management, timber, financial services and horticulture industries, while empowering women, youth and people living with disability.