28/03/2024
National Sandalwood Forum 2024
The 3-days National Sandalwood Forum 2024, will be held next week, from Wednesday 3rd -5th April in Port Vila. The VPPA office has been working with the Forestry Department and PHAMA Plus representatives in hosting and co-facilitating the Forum, with the theme, “Yumi Lukluk Bageken long Sandelwud Indastri mo
Mekem i Kam Strong moa”.
The product has a long history in Vanuatu, even prior to establishment of formal national governance systems in the country, with Sandalwood traders being among the first to travel to Vanuatu to harvest the product.
Since independence the product has been a source of income for households and national governments over the years. The product, as a commodity sector, has been steadily increased it’s contributions to Vanuatu’s national economy.
There is much work that still needs to be done to further improve the product and Vanuatu’s trade in it.
The National Sandalwood Forum 2024 Committee has worked tirelessly since last year, 2023 to have this opportunity to bring stakeholders together to discuss and have exchanges that will help the sector thrive. Government officials and staff will make presentations on policies, strategies and pathways which are designed to help stakeholders in their engagement in the sector.
The venue for the National Forum will be, the Melanesian Hotel conference room. Farmers, exporters and other stakeholder including relevant government officials and staff will be attending the forum, and an any individuals or companies on Efate and other islands may also attend to listen to key speakers and participate in discussion.
