By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
THERE is need to invest in local manufacturing of timber processing equipment to reduce importation costs the country is currently incurring, Zambia National Association for Sawmillers (ZNAS) has said.
ZNAS president William Bwalya said the association was disappointed that the country was importing simple tools which could easily be manufactured locally.
“We are at pains as an association to see that in this era we are importing simple band sawmills, timber drying kilns at huge costs, losing huge amounts of foreign exchange when we have universities which have the facility and human resource to produce blue prints for local companies to produce and supply the industry,” Mr Bwalya said.
He said Zambian engineers need to be fully incorporated into the timber industry so that they can provide technical advice and produce the required machinery.
Commenting on the general performance of the sector in 2016, Mr Bwalya  said engineers are still not fully involved in the industry.
“The under performance of the timber industry in 2016 can be attributed to many factors but significantly the lack of machinery to effectively and competitively produce,  and the non commitment of local engineers, despite their availability and capability.
“All the timber processing equipment and machinery from simple tools like handsaws to very advanced automated timber processing mills are
imported and sold to a poor Zambian at unaffordable prices,” he said.
He said when imported machines break down, spares still have to be imported at exaggerated importation costs while production time was lost.
Mr Bwalya said it was easier for local companies to offer warranties, guarantees and discounts but for imported items it was not practical due to distance and cost.
He said the lesser attention exhibited by stakeholders and academia gives forestry and wood science a second class interest in the majority of Zambians.
Mr Bwalya has since called for a national symposium to iron out challenges hindering value addition in the sector.
“We feel the Government/ Forest Department and Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) must call for a national symposium in 2017 to pave the way forward for the timber industry.
He wants the symposium to bring together interest groups involved in the development of  timber and wood processing industry for the purpose of discussion and agreement on the national strategies regarding the sector.