Aug 31, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. The Mozambican government plans to prepare regulations setting eligibility criteria and guidelines for development of forestry projects for commercial and industrial purposes, Prime Minister Aires Ali said. Speaking in Maputo at the consultation meeting on regulations for the development of forestry plantations, Ali said that regulations were a result of the realisation that the social and economic impact of silviculture in the country was still modest, despite the excellent agri-ecological potential and conditions for competitive production, as Macauhub reported. The regulations are aimed at promoting, guiding and providing rules for the development of forestry plantations, with a view to the various players sharing both benefits and responsibilities. Under the terms of the proposed regulations, community investors will be those with an area of up to 2,000 hectares, those with an area of no more than 10,000 hectares will be in the small and medium-sized companies group, whilst large investors will have an area of more than 10,000 hectares and require a minimum investment of 12.5 billion meticals ($340 million). Figures provided by the Agriculture Minister, Soares Nhaca, showed that there are around 7 million hectares in the country that would suit reforestation, of which around 3 million are available. According to the minister, reforestation for commercial and industrial purposes had gained momentum over the last five years and five companies were now operating in the country, which had already planted around 15,000 hectares and another four companies were in the process of being approved.