PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) is committed to working closely with the Ministry of International Trade and Investment to promote Special Economic Zones ( SEZ) in the forest industry sector according to Managing Director John Mosoro who is also Chairman of PNG Diwai Holdings Limited – the business arm of PNGFA.
Mr Mosoro said PNGFA is encouraging partnerships to strategically position itself on government development objectives while meeting key stakeholder expectations.
“ As SEZs develop across PNG, forestry – based industries can bring inclusive growth especially through downstream processing.
“ SEZs offer a unique platform to transform raund logs into high – value products, generate employment for rural communities throughout PNG and create new investment pathways that balance sustainability of the sector going into the future ,” Mr Mosoro said.
Mr Mosoro made the remarks during his presentation on Forest Resources and Downstream Policy to the Second Special Economic Zone three day Summit held at Port Moresby’s APEC Haus . The event took place from Monday the 1st of September to Wednesday 3rd of September 2025.
Mr Mosoro said it is befitting that the 2nd Special Economic Summit is held on the eve of this country’s 50th independence festivities as it is boldly envisioning and shaping a investment pathway for development through long term public private partnerships.
“ On behalf of PNGFA, I commend the Minister for Trade and Investment Richard Maru for the leadership and vision to drive the SEZ policy initiative in this country and Secretary Ms Jacinta Manua and management for the strong support given to host this event, “ Mr Mosoro said.
PNG Forest Authority is the mandated custodian of managing PNG’s rich forest resource. PNG boasts the world’s third largest rainforest rich in biodiversity – this also means that 70 percent of PNG is forested land – 46.9 million hectares of forest cover, Mr Mosoro remarked.
“ It is therefore crucial for us to identify and initiate the right kind of development l options when going in to utilizing and managing our Forest resources.
“ We seek to facilitate investments in the Forestry Sector that will promote the sustainable use of our forests resources whilst striving to maintain a balance on impacts to our biodiversity;
• The Forestry sector contributes annually an average of k1.2 billion in direct monetary benefits and economy and country as a whole,
• Estimated about 52 percent of the revenue generated from the forestry sector goes to the national government every year.
• The Forester sector also employs about 10,000 people in the industry and Forest estates nationwide.
Mr Mosoro further emphasized that downstream processing is now the focus of PNGFA with the government ban on round log exports in the end of this year.
“ A gradual phasing of round log exports is currently in effect. We are currently implementing plans to help deliver the government vision 2050 and MDTP targets in the forestry sector;
• We seek to invest into four large regional processing facilities or Forest industrial parks,
• Supply of wood source for these parks through expansions of ten forest estates
• We currently have two forestry plantations tied to downstream processing plans and agreements,
• Investment into research and technology development on our different wood species and multiple uses derived from not just timber but other non- timber products as well,
• We seek investment to promoting a greener economy through encouraging forest carbon initiatives and environmental stewardship ,
Mr Mosoro said all these investment opportunities mentioned are supported through the SEZ concept.
“ PNG Forests Authority aligns with the SEZ development reforms as we see the framework and platform for the development of Forest Industrial Parks to be established,” Mr Mosoro said.
