THE forestry sector has estimated a $5.7million revenue collection in 2017.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Forestry and Research, Mr Vaeno Vigulu, said the Forestry Sector has injected a total of $5million towards to the economy this year.

On the same note, he said total expenditure projected for 2017 is $22million.

Mr Vigulu said the Ministry has mapped out seven key development priorities in its 2017 development programme.

He said the key development priority areas are; review of Forestry Resources and Timber Utilisation Act, Downstream Processing and Timber Utilisation, National Forestry Development Programme, National Herbarium and Botanical Garden, Native Forest Enrichment and research project and National Forest Inventory programme

Mr Vigulu said these priorities are extracted from the DCC Government’s policy direction for the ministry.

He said one important operation for the ministry next year is the review of the Forestry Resources and Timber Utilisation Act.

Mr Vigulu said the Ministry has established a committee however there is no budget to drive the programme in 2017.

He said request for financial support to the Prime Minister’s Office was not fruitful and that the Ministry will try its best to use any available fund to finance the programme.

Mr Vigulu said the Ministry has already started some awareness and other activities in the provinces last year.

He explained that the Ministry used the REDD+ activities as an opportunity to start off the initial awareness of the Forestry Act Review plan.

Mr Vigulu said discussions have been held with stakeholders, logging companies, provincial assemblies through REDD+ activities.

He said provinces covered include Western province and Isabel while other provinces are earmarked for next year.

Mr Vigulu said the final draft of the document will be finalised next year before submitting to the Attorney General Chamber followed by a series of further consultations in the provinces on the implementation of the Act.

He said the Bill is expected to be tabled on the fourth setting of parliament next year.