— Mim (B/A), Sept. 2, – Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry have visited Scanstyle Mim Limited (SML), a furniture manufacturing company in the Asunafo District of the Brong Ahafo Region. The visit was part of the committee’s tour of some selected timber firms in the region. Members of the committee, led by Mr Collins Dauda, had discussions with the management of the company on issues arising from the proposed timber bill. The visit also afforded the committee the opportunity to collate views of saw millers on the bill and gather information on the timber industry and its related problems. Mr Michael Peprah, Managing Director, said the company is the leading exporter of furniture in the country. He said the main constraint of the company is the lack of raw materials. ”Our only concession at Subin is exhausted. We are always faced with shortage of raw materials,” he added. Mr Peprah said the company with its modern equipment could earn more foreign exchange for the country if raw materials are made available. On afforestation, Mr Peprah said the main problem facing the company is non-availability of land. The company was making strenuous effort to acquire land for an afforestation programme.
