Posted on :Wednesday , 30th November 2022

The visit's objective is to generate the content for phase two of a Sida-supported programme to boost Ethiopia's forest industry.

The project is widely addressing a number of topics linked to sustainable forest management, small-scale forest business, and forest laws. Swedish Forest Agency and the Eco Innovation Foundation are also a part of the project's Swedish consortium, which is coordinated by SLU.

"One of the key goals is to enable Ethiopia to substitute local production of high-quality timber for expensive imported wood products. According to Erik Karltun, a researcher at the Department of Soil and Environment and the SLU coordinator for the programme, achieving this goal will require, among other things, buying stuff on local entrepreneurs' training and support.

Kebede Yimam, Director General of Ethiopia Forest Development, Ethiopia's version of the Swedish Forest Agency, is in place to guide the delegation on behalf of Ethiopia.

The delegation went to Skinnskatteberg's SLU School of Forest Management and Höga Kusten's two local firms, one of which makes equipment for the small-scale wood industry and the other of which makes wooden floors. The team was in Uppsala for a week in order to work on the project application to Sida, explore urban greening projects, and meet with Pro Vice-Chancellor Ylva Hillbur and SLU Global