Growing green assets: removing constraints to private sector investment in forestry in Asia and the Pacific

The prospects for attracting increased investments in forestry may never have been higher: society is increasingly acknowledging the multiple benefits and functions of forests, demand for forest products is expanding rapidly and institutional investors are seeking investment opportunities for the billions of US dollars amassed in their funds. So why isn't more private sector investment being made in forestry in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in developing countries? Why is it that investors continue to favour North America, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America and the European Union in their forestry investment decisions? And why are domestic investors in Asia and the Pacific largely avoiding the forestry sector? Through a series of nine country case studies and regional analysis, this publication presents answers to these questions and provides guidance to policy-makers on approaches and priorities for removing key impediments and streamlining forestry investment in the region.