Capacity building and project design workshops for the Timor-Leste Commercial Forestry Project
Lead by: Phillip M. Young, Key Experts & Agricultural Economist
COWI’s PPIP Forestry Project Design Team, conducted three capacity building and project design workshops for the Timor-Leste Commercial Forestry Project (TLCFP).
The workshops covered a range of forestry-related topics. Firstly, participants were introduced to the Savings Book Approach, which offers support to smallholder forestry investors during the early stages of tree growth, taking inspiration from successful implementations in Vietnam. This approach will be adapted and applied to the context of Timor-Leste. Additionally, there was a presentation on the Design, Costing, Analysis, and Impact of TLCFP, focusing on the benefits for both smallholder and commercial forestry investors, as well as the project’s implications for the economy of Timor-Leste. Lastly, a presentation on the relative importance of the three main forest tree products (firewood, high-value timber, and carbon credits) and the proposed smallholder support programs was shared.
The workshops attracted a diverse group of stakeholders, including HE Fernandino Vieira da Costa from the Secretary of State for Forestry, Dr. Iotam Lerer and other representatives from the European Union Delegation, the Chief of Cabinet SoS Forestry, and several other esteemed participants.
Mr. Philip Young, PPIP’s Team Leader and Economist, acknowledged the significance of these workshops, as they provided an opportunity to discuss the establishment of a commercial forest industry in Timor-Leste. He expressed gratitude for the active participation and valuable contributions that were made throughout the sessions. The PPIP team is pleased to announce that the TLCFP Feasibility Study Report has been drafted and delivered to the European Investment Bank for review and feedback.
