SA’s forestry sector to be transformed to benefit rural communities
South Africa’s forestry sector needed to be transformed in such a way that it benefited the rural communities where operations occurred, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies said on Tuesday.
Davies said it was time for the communities in these areas to benefit from ownership under the draft amended B-BBEE Forest Sector Codes, which his department has published.
He said the amended code heralded “the beginning of the journey towards finalising transformation guidelines” in a sector that has a huge impact on the country’s manufacturing industry, and consequently, the country’s economy.
He said the amended code would see ownership patterns in the forestry sector change, with a target for ownership to be at 7,5% black-owned in rural areas, and would play a role in ensuring poverty and income inequalities were addressed.
“The forestry sector is one of the sectors that can stimulate and accelerate rural development because most of its operations are primarily situated in rural and underdeveloped areas,” said Davies.
The amended code, which is available for public comment until January 6, 2016, would also focus on “promoting the empowerment of rural communities”. – African News Agency (ANA)