STC launches five year plan to expand market

Disna Mudalige

The State Timber Corporation has put into effect a five year trade plan beginning 2013 aimed at expanding STC's market share. The STC remitted Rs 1,900 million to the Treasury last year and this has been the highest remittance in the 43 years history of the Corporation.

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said STC caters to 10 percent of the market demand for timber.

He said the STC hopes to gradually cover 25 percent of the timber requirement in the country by implementing the new five year plan from 2013 to 2017.

Yapa said more human and material resources would be provided to increase the efficiency of the Corporation.

He said the STC had been listed for privatisation in the past.

The minister said STC has made a great leap, while incorporating the latest technology and knowledge relevant to the field.

The minister made these observations at a ceremony to hand over new machines and vehicles to the value of about Rs 90 million to the STC.

STC General Manager S Amarasinghe also participated.