17 January 2006

Hervé Bourguignon new general secretary for IFIA

Continuation of the Association’s activities with all stakeholders of the forest sector

Over the last 10 years, the Interafrican Forest Industries Association (IFIA) has continued to develop, promote and defend the message of the African companies in the timber sector.
Relying on his experience of the continent and profession, the General Secretary, Mr Jean-Jacques Landrot, has animated this profession, which although heterogeneous, is of primary economic importance in forested African countries. Over the years, he has been committed to explaining the complexity of the problems faced by companies in their forest and industrial activities. In the local context of economic development, they must face the complexity of the necessary sustainable management, still in its infancy, whilst ensuring their vital profitability.
Mr Landrot wishes to step down as of the 1st of February of this year.
Mr Hervé Bourguignon, specialist of the problems relating to economic development in developing countries, has been chosen by the Board of Directors to be his successor. Mr Bourguignon will continue his predecessor’s work through a dialogue with all stake holders. He will lean on the African syndicates in the different countries and on the internal expertise of IFIA member companies. He will deploy his efforts so that the continued economic development of the sector, essential in the fight against poverty, is achieved with a strong participation of local populations living from the forest and with the promotion of forest methods which respect the forest environment and the richness of its biodiversity.