The Minister for International Trade and Investment Richard Maru has suggested the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to include the downstream processing of wood products with the Papua New Guinea Forest Authority (PNGFA). Minister Maru alongside Secretary Ms. Jacinta Manua made this proposal in a special innovative meeting at the PNG Forestry Authority Headquarters on Thursday 24TH April 2025. The Meeting was among PNGFA senior officials including the Managing Director of PNGFA John Mosoro, Chief Operating Officer Ms. Magdalene Maihua, Corporate Strategic Planner Mr. Mark Pilon, Director of Economic & Trade Ms. Verolyn Daugil, Manager and Connect PNG Programme in Forestry Mr. Gabriel Gabonen. The discussion explored key strategies to enforce government policy aimed at ending log exports while advancing the downstream processing of timber within the existing Special Economic Zone framework, including interest to participation in the Oaka World Expo 2025. Meanwhile, Mr. Mosoro emphasized the need to amend the Forestry Act, enhance reforestation efforts, total inventory of forest resources, and expand downstream processing for exports. He also warned that insufficient funding could threaten government policies on log export bans and sustainable forestry initiatives. Furthermore, Mr. Mosoro expressed grave concern over the lack of funding for feasibility studies on downstream processing at four log export zones, despite prior approval from NEC. He warned that biased funding decisions could jeopardize the policy, leading to significant revenue losses for the government. Furthermore, Mr. Mosoro also expressed interest in the Osaka World Expo 2025 in Japan to showcase to the world PNG’s rich and unique forest resource and attract investment. Mr. Mosoro among his senior representatives outlined the potential to attract investors at the Expo to Minister Maru and Secretary Manua. They emphasized that forestry development extends beyond logging, focusing on downstream processing and harnessing the natural value of resources through nature-based solutions.