PESHAWAR, March 24: USAID, in collaboration with the Malaysian government, would introduce a modern forestry system in the NWFP on the pattern of Malaysia’s forestry system.

Malaysia is known as a model for the effective promotion and protection of forests and its adoption as a role model for the NWFP will help improve financial position of the province.

An assurance to this effect was given to NWFP Minister for Finance and Environment Shah Raz Khan by USAID Controller Dr Warren Wiestein at a meeting held in the Civil Secretariat, Peshawar, on Saturday.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Mohammad Iqbal Swati, Dr Muhammad Iqbal Sial and other officers.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the provincial government would take concrete measures for strengthening the Pak-German woodwork centre and make it more productive and effective.

He said the government had planned to provide wood to the centre so that it could make furniture for schools.

He said the USAID would provide technical and financial assistance for establishing wood seasoning plants in Peshawar, Malakand and Mardan and because of these plants, precious wood would be saved from being wasted.

He said a modern wood cutting system would also be introduced in the province.

The minister said that the USAID and Malaysian government would provide machinery for the installation of a solid-waste recycling plant in the province.—APP