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PAPUA New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA) managing director John Mosoro says Vanimo is ideal for the development of forestry downstream processing. Mosoro said there was potential to expand shipping infrastructure to export processed timber. “The ban on round-log exports policy will be implemented by the time the processing facilities are built and able to export processed timber and non-timber forest products like paper, wood pellets which are high-density biomass fuel for energy production, etc) directly from Vanimo to international markets supported through the Vanimo Forestry SEZ, as well as supplies for local consumption,” he said. There are three sustainable forest management area (FMA) projects operating in Sandaun (West Sepik): Amanab 1 to 4 and Imonda FMA; Amanab 5 and 6 FMA; and, Aitape Lumi FMA. “These projects are operating within a 50-year lifespan subject to project reviews every five years and will support the sustainability of the timber supply to the processing facilities for export,” Mosoro said.