Apowa (Western Region) Timber Industries in the country will henceforth be encouraged to import timber to supplement those produced locally. Mr Dan Abodakpi, Minister of Trade and Industries gave this hint when he visited MetropStar wood processing company at Apowa, near Takoradi, on Monday as part of his two-day visit to some selected timber industries in the Western Region.

He explained that the importation has become necessary as a result of the fast dwindling state of the country's forest resources, which need to be protected.

Mr Abodakpi, however, explained that timber industries, which add value to their produce, would be considered for limited concessions. Mr Hamza Ramal, Managing Director of Metro-Star Company who conducted the minister round the mills said the company was producing under capacity due to lack of concessions to feed the mills. He appealed to the ministry of lands and forestry to ensure that concessions are made available to industries with the requisite modern timber processing machinery.

Mr. Ramal said sending down an investigation team to ascertain which industries qualify to be considered for concessions could do this. The Minister also visited B.M.K. Wood Processing limited where he was taken round the mill by Mr. J. K. Tandoh, in-charge of the Engineering department.

Mr Richard Druyeh, the General Manager, said the company has been exporting its products to Cote D'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal, Nigeria andMorocco. Mr. Abodakpi commended the company for its export promotion efforts and urged them to sustain the momentum.

The minister also visited Patlock Limited, a coconut processing company based at Apowa where he was received by Dr. A. A. Owusu, chairman of the Board of Directors of the company.