The forestry industry has the capacity to contribute significantly to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if value addition to the timber products is well harnessed, Mines and Natural Reources Minister Wylbur Simuusa has said.

Mr Simuusa said Zambia would only realise true value of its natural resources when it moves away from exporting semi-processed timber products.

The minister said this at Jabulani Childrens' Village in Ndola's Kaniki area during the official opening of the board factory initiative project. He said the country should stop exporting semi-processed timber but ensure that it enhanced value addition to the forestry products.

Mr Simuusa urged the private sector and saw millers to consider adding value to the timber products, especially for the export market.

He said the Government through his ministry, had the capacity to contribute to Zambia's GDP, if the products being made from timber were doubled and value added.

He commended Jabulani Children's Village for setting up a board factory which would enable the organisation become self-sustaining.

"I would also like to note that this investment has helped to create employment for the local community in Kaniki," he said.

The factory was set up through funding from Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) under the business-to-business for development arrangement.

"This is just one of many other projects through-out Zambia being supported by the Danish government. You have proved to be an all-weather friend to Zambia since time immemorial and we are so indebted to your support," Mr Simuusa told the Danish envoy Thomas Schjerbeck, who was present at the function.

Jabulani Children's Village deputy director Mary Soneka said the business cooperation would contribute positively to the private sector development and poverty alleviation in Zambia.

Ms Soneka assured the business community that the boards made at the factory would be of high standard.

"With the launch of the board factory, Jabulani presents the business community with an option of buying one more product," she said.