Progress report

December 2006

The Executing Agency has submitted a completion report which has been reviewed by the Secretariat. A final audit report on the use of project funds has yet to be submitted. In November 2006, the relevant ITTO Committees declared this project as completed subject to receipt of the audited financial report.

May 2005

Most project activities have been fully implemented and most of project outputs have been obtained: the assessment of the training and manpower development needs of the wood industry and WITC has been completed as well as the review and improvement of WITC's library and information. In connection with the latter, WITC has made subscription to industrial and training journals and has purchased many library books. Consultants and experts have been selected and provided training in kiln drying, plymilling, veneering, furniture design and manufacture and moulding to WITC's instructors. Appropriate wood training institutes have been identified outside the country and advance training courses have been organized for some instructors of the institute on specific subjects of the wood industry. The last batch of instructors are preparing to undertake their programme at Skive Technical Institute in Denmark.

The project is on track, although it has been delayed by the slow pace of absorption of the skills provided through the various training activities. Project activities have been extended without additional budget requests and the project is expected to be completed by end 2005.