By Nonhlanhla Phuti
The Timber Producers Association of Zambia is urging government to consider formalizing trade ties with Tanzania and Malawi to allow the country import timber as the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation –ZAFFICO- may fail to satisfy the timber market.
Association President Charles Masange says there is a high possibility that ZAFFICO may not be able to supply timber traders with enough stock as it is likely to close in the next one year for 10 years as they await for timber in Chinsali and other parts of the country to mature.
Mr. Masange has since called on government to consider granting the association a piece of land that can be used to harbor timber bought from Tanzania to be sold to local traders in an event that ZAFFICO is unable to supply the timber.
In an interview, Mr. Masange has since encouraged timber traders to be innovative and find solutions to supplying the Zambian market with timber when ZAFFICO is unable to.
But ZAFFICO Public Relations Manager Irene Chipili has told Phoenix News that there is currently a shortage of round wood on the market due to high demand and assures that the cooperation has taken in several measures aimed at addressing the current deficit such as replanting trees every year among others.
CREDIT: PHOENIX NEWS
