Over 50,000 employed in wood industry

Indunil Hewage

Sri Lanka’s wood and wood based industry, exports have to be increased for the industry to develop as in Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia, a Sri Lanka Export Development Board source said.

The wood and wood based industry is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka, providing employment opportunities to a large number of people, both in urban and rural areas, there is so much potential to develop this sector both in the local as well as export markets. The wood industry consists of sub sectors such as saw milling, preservation and seasoning, construction and furniture.

According to EDB sources, the industry provides employment opportunities to about 50,000 workers including 12,000 in saw milling 28,000 in furniture manufacturing and 2,400 in the panel industry.

Locally manufactured wood based products are mainly catered to the domestic market. The production of small wooden items, decorative domestic products, and wooden toys hold much promise for the local and especially the export market.

Plans have been underway to develop local and export market research, customize new designs, introduce new technology, capacity building together with focused training. However, the industry suffers from inadequate technology, research support, access to technical and market information.

Uncertain timber supplies have tended to make industries less productive and therefore less able to compete in the international market. In addition, government policies, regulations and decisions restrict the supply of available wood resources to a great extent.