The three companies are Tecnota Forest of Zambezia, Chikweti Forest of Niassa, and Levastflor, who pledged to start replanting trees in Niassa province in the north of the country, and Zambezia and Sofala in the central region. The areas to be replanted have been degraded, particularly by uncontrolled bush fires.
This project is costed at 110 million US dollars to be invested over the next 10 years.
By planting new species of trees, the communities will directly benefit through employment as well as from 10 per cent of any profits that are obtained.
The signatories will also conduct forestry research for mutual benefit and will offer training in the area of forest conservation and the development and application of new technologies.
Speaking at the ceremony, the, UEM vice-chancellor Filipe Couto, cited in Tuesday's issue of the Maputo daily 'Noticias', stressed the importance of such activities as a means to protect the ecosystem in a responsible manner.
For her part, Asa Tham, the chairperson of the Levasflor General Assembly, said it is very important to create improved living conditions for Mozambicans, which is why large numbers of local people will be directly employed by the project.
She said that a number of Mozambicans are undergoing training in Thailand to be the pioneers in the implementation of the project.
SOURCE: AIM
