Rio, 7/8/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) – Although Brazil has the world's greatest extent of forestlands, with a potentially productive area covering some 375 million hectares, the country faces problems with its lumber-based industrial sector. According to Thais Juvenal of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), there are problems in the paper, pulp and furniture sectors because they are concentrated in one region (South/Southeast) where there are no longer productive forests. The challenge, says Juvenal, is reforestation so the country can expand forestland productive potential.

Pointing out that most potentially productive forestland is privately owned, Juvenal says there is a need for regulatory oversight so that use preserves biodiversity.

The BNDES is sponsoring a seminar today, "Forests and Development," which will discuss the growth potential of productive chains that are lumber-based, along with environmental and socio- economic aspects in expanding the productive use of Brazil forestlands. (AB)