The Zambia Youths in the Fight Against Corruption (ZYAFAC) has observed the need for Zambia to invest in research for early maturing forest species.
ZYAFAC Executive Director Maurice Malambo says there is further need for the government through Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) to invest forest value addition.
Mr. Malambo says government should consider identifying an equity partner to capitalize expansion and transfer of value addition in the forest sector in order to stop the importation of furniture from other country.
He said this will help the government in earning revenue from the forestry industry and create jobs for the young people.
He believed that this will further help the government in driving its economic diversification agenda.
He said government should also consider expanding ZAFFICO to other parts of the country saying this will help to create jobs in the provinces.
He advised the government that research is very important and hence the need to invest more in this area.