Change facilitaion: what needs to be done?

There is a range of factors hindering the development of the sector and among the, internal and external should be considered in view to addressing major problems faced by the sector as a whole.

Internal factors

Among internal factors depending on the government efforts to bring changes in the forestry sector are as follow:

In socio-political context

Formulation of policy forestry sector and revision of judicial instruments guiding the sector activities;

Development and strengthen of links of co-operation between institutions direct and/or indirectly involved to the management and administration of forest/natural resources, e.g. government, private sector, NGOs and Community at national level; and

End of the unrest and insaturation of total peace in all territory of the country.

Economical context

Establishment forest development funds enabling the sector to carry out the implementation of micro-projects and routine activities; and

Creating good atmosphere in order to absorb local investments by developing mechanisms of incentives and ensure their application.

External factors

It is more expected that national programmes be supported by external institutions, however the government has called to develop effort in order to attract external funds. Most of developing countries are non-experienced with regard to negotiation process for getting funds, therefore there are imposition and domination of donors, and among issues to be look at carefully and addressed in order to avoid undesirable outcomes are:

Development concepts and principles, therefore priorities of national sector, generally are not compatible to the donors policy;

Donors lay on their priorities rather national ones;

Conditionals to establish development of co-operation;

Imposition of environment programmes instead of development programmes still needed by the majority of developing countries;

Administrative mechanisms set donors are very complex for developing countries;

Donors are very strict in following their procedures; and

Financing mechanisms are too much difficult to be fulfilled by developing countries;

Policy and institutional changes

The forestry sector of Angola has emerged in the beginning of 90 to a political change by creating a new institution called DNAF and the former National Directorate of Conservation; DNACO became the Institute for Forestry Development with a broader mission. A new structure more or less flexible was developed within the IDF and review of judicial instruments regulating the activities of the sector are taking part. These changes will certainly be decisive and contribute positively to guide the sector toward sustainable development in the future.

Planning of the sector is an aspect to be considered when it comes to value and access the potential of the sector. There is a gap concerning the gathering of information. The sector lays on information and data provided by international bodies, however it is recognised that most information from these institutions are estimates derived from calculation and comparison of different aspects under various criteria. Therefore, it will be a hardship task to plan for the sector when basic information are not secured and as a consequence, it will be very difficult to persuade decision-makers to pay attention to the forest sector. There is an urgent need to develop a forest data bank for the sector, and this aspect should be a priority.

The formulation of new policy guiding the sector is of paramount importance. The sector is still making use of outdated judicial instruments as heritage of colonial system. This policy is not adjusted to the current socio-economic situation of the country.

Investment in forestry

The forestry sector is fully dependent to the government budget and this trend needs to be reversed, i.e. new flexible and adequate mechanisms inviting and encouraging internal and external sources of finance to the development of the forestry sector are required. This will facilitate the government to implement programme actions already identified by the sector and routine activities undertaken as well.

Investment actions carried out by other sectors such oil, fisheries and diamond sectors could be a good example to bring to the forestry sector due to its immense resources taking into account the economic value of this sector and the contribution generally ignored able to bring to the large sectors of the Angolan society.

To the other hand, the revenues of important sectors above mentioned could be used to assist to the development of the forestry sector and other with relative few incomes.

Technological changes

Modern technologies are pursued as a valuable tool for the development of the sector. This aspect is very linked to the level of development of the country. In a country like Angola, where backward technology is still used, it is evident that if the sector wants to achieve successes, the adherence to biotechnology should be a way to forward in order to ensure the future development within the forestry sector. Therefore, the government has a major role to play in this respect especially in formulation of policy enabling the private sector to move onto a sustainable development.

Feasibility of the changes and how to strengthen the positive factors and mitigate the negative factors

The government through the forestry sector has a hardship mission to accomplish vis à vis to the welfare of the society and to international commitments. It is more expected the government through the sector plays its role as policy-maker and ensure the participation of all important stakeholders to the development strategic programme of the sector and to ensure that each component is a part of the process with specific role and task.

Another aspect no less important is the definition of applicable forestry development policy accepted and supported by all intervened in which they have to take active part during its formulation, such as development of funds mechanisms and application of stimulating incentives attracting potential investors and identification and development of programmes.

Lastly, the sector by identifying and designing feasible integrated forestry development programmes, ensuring their implementation, taking into consideration the specificity of the country, capable to address the immense problems and constraints raised by the society in order to satisfy their basic needs and fully contribute to the national economy.

Roles and responsibilities of various agencies

The interaction between the forestry sector and other sectors, including the decisions related to theses sectors have a major impact on the sustainable development and preservation of forest resources.

The development process and contribution of forestry sector to the national economy require the participation of various partners direct or indirectly involved in the administration and management of forest and natural resources. Each one has a role to play as well as responsibility for sustainable development of the forestry sector. Among them they are:

Local communities and farmers are under the government guidance, responsible for the management of their surrounding natural forest and establish woodlots in cultivated areas;

Non-Governmental Organisations should assist in capacitating local communities and farmers to ensure the sustainable management of forest resources and creating micro-projects plantation for multiple uses and ensure environmental education to the society as a whole;

Private sector should concentrate their efforts by creating commercial plantations and establishing and reactivating the forestry processing industry, and assist small-scale farmers involved in forestry activities and communities to obtain what is needed to undertake their productive activities and creating incentives for the development of ecotourism and recreation;

International community has a crucial role to play in the whole forestry development process. It is expected from it funds allocation and to assist the government to implement identified programmes as well as the implementation of international Treaties and Conventions; and

Government is the main actor of the whole process and on it lays on the responsibility of creating appropriate mechanisms to attract investments, to promote the enrolment of all partners in the process for the development programmes leaded by the State, formulating policy and rules, law enforcement ensuring the sustainable use and preservation of forest resources and the planning of the sector.