SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — Korean companies afforested a total of 43,182 ha in eight countries last year. According to the Korea Forest Service’s report on February 24, these companies have contributed to reforestation in Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, the Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Paraguay and Uruguay. The 43,182 ha figure was an increase of 23 percent over 2013.
Korean businesses started afforestation operations in 1993, and to date, 27 companies have afforested a total of 328,000 ha in 12 countries.
Korean companies are also working to develop forest resources. There are now 93 Korean companies undertaking afforestation, forest management and forest resources processing projects in 22 countries.
The Korea Forest Service expects that the projects will contribute a stable supply of forest resources needed for Korean industries, and it is currently helping Korean companies to invest in overseas forest development projects by providing funding for feasibility studies or low interest loans.
By J.W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)