A UK based forest company; New Forests Company (NFC) has taken over the management of Nyungwe forest buffer zone, with plans to build a diverse, modern, valuable wood products industry.
The agreement was signed yesterday July 19, between the government represented by MINERENA, RDB and NFC itself.
The company’s CEO, Julian Ozanne told Igihe.com that NFC company intends to invest in a series of manufacturing industries to produce wood products for the growing construction sector.
Ozanne also commented on the likely additional investments; “if we further enter agreements with the government, our company also hopes to generate woody bio-mass electricity for the national grid and other bio-energy products.”
Speaking after the signing of an agreement, MINERENA’s Minister Stanislas Kamanzi recommended the venture, emphasizing that the year 2011 having been declared a year of forests, has seen tremendous advocacy for the conservation of forests.
He also said the project would create job opportunities to communities around the area. “Assuming all activities are realized, this scheme alone will create more than 1,200 jobs over the next five years.” Kamanzi said.
RDB’s Chief Operating Officer Clare Akamanzi said, “NFC hopes to enter into additional agreements with the government and should all this be concluded, the company expects the total investment in the project to reach up to US.$60M in the next few years. This is a clear indication that Rwanda is continuously being trusted by investors and we hope more of them can realize country’s full potential.”
The company expects to begin harvesting in October 2012; it says it is committed to replanting all harvested areas with improved tree species.
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