She said it was important that her department focused on strengthening the forestry industry because of its importance in creating employment, especially in the rural areas.
The Minister said the industry contributed about two percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Sonjica was launching the National Arbor Week, which is celebrated from 1-7 September each year.
The Minister pointed out that the ownership of the country's forests was still in the hands of "the few white individuals" and that the sector had to respond to the challenge of broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) - BuaNews.
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