The Portuguese government will make available a fund worth over 18 million euros (19 million U.S. dollars) in 2017 to improve productivity in eucalyptus plantations, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Monday.

"The big challenge we have ahead is to improve the productivity of eucalyptus plantations," Costa said during a session to sign investment contracts worth 125 million euros with group Altri, a leading Portuguese eucalyptus pulp producer, in Figueira da Foz, northern Portugal.

"The average productivity we have per hectare is extremely low and we have conditions to improve (it) significantly," Costa added.

Costa said the current production of eucalyptus amounted to 5 tonnes per hectare.

The prime minister also pointed out that many forest areas and eucalyptus areas in Portugal were abandoned.

Paulo Fernandes, CEO of Altri, said that the Portuguese conglomerate was willing to invest in Portugal, but it would be more difficult if the country continued to "treat badly" its forests.(1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollars) Endit

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