The importance of small forestry enterprises in developing countries
It is estimated that exported timber only represents 5% of the wood cut in tropical forests. 10% is timber used locally and the majority - 85%- of wood is for fuel. While exports are generally the preserve of large scale enterprises, the domestic market is dominated by small forest enterprises. In many countries the forest sector constitutes mainly small forest enterprises - employing from 10 to 100 full-time employees. They create more than half of the jobs in the forest sector and are responsible for over 50% of the government revenues. While small and medium enterprises are important for local wealth creation, at the same time local environmental accountability is strengthened as they are part of the local life.
Year: 2008
From collection: Environment and Poverty Times #5: Pro-poor growth issue
Cartographer: Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal