With the growing world’s population, economic expansion and increasing use of biomass, global demand for wood and wood products has been on the rise and shall continue for a long period as it is a major source of materials for various industry such as pulp and paper, construction, clothing and furniture. The 20-yr National Strategy
identifies that the forestry business has a potential to generate 2-4 trillion-baht revenue annually. To reach this target, 12 agencies from public and private sectors have entered in an MOU to form a consortium to promote sustainable forest management and forestry business. The MOU signing ceremony was held on 26 March 2019 at Thailand Science Park.
Twelve organizations joining this consortium include: 1) Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University; 2) Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok; 3) Maejo University, Phrae Campus; 4) Forest Industry Organization; 5) Royal Forest Department; 6) Agarwood Community; 7) Forestry Alumni Association; 8) Fast Growing Tree Association; 9) Thai Timber Association; 10) Thai Biomass Trade Association; 11) Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives; and 12) NSTDA.
The 5-year MOU will have NSTDA serving as the group secretariat, and will be working on setting the standards and certification system for sustainable forestry, as well as R&D on plant breeding and product development to support this business sector.