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B.C. to send forestry representatives to Asia

“B.C.’s renewable forest products are in demand, providing carbon-friendly building materials for the world,” said Susan Yurkovich, president and CEO, B.C. Council of Forest Industries, in a news statement. “As a leader in developing high-quality wood products, countries around the globe are looking to B.C. for our building materials and expertise. This trade mission to Asia provides a valuable opportunity to continue to diversify B.C.’s markets.”

The delegates will meet with customers, senior government officials and industry representatives to examine market trends and opportunities. They will also tour prefabrication plants in Japan and demonstration projects in China, as well as visit the first public sector wood-frame construction community housing development project in South Korea.

The focus in Japan will be on how to increase wood use in non-residential construction and hybrid building systems, and encourage more high-value applications. Delegates will also mark 40 years of support from the Tokacho 2×4 Home Builders Association and celebrate the commercial adaptation of a B.C.-developed misplay shear wall to advance seismic resistance.

Meanwhile, in China, three memoranda of understanding (MOU) will be signed to support the use of wood construction, particularly government co-operation initiatives. The representatives will also participate in the fourth annual Sino-Canada Wood Conference.

Finally, in South Korea, the mission will sign a MOU with the Korean Institute of Architects and participate in a seismic design symposium co-hosted by the institute and Canada Wood Korea.

China is B.C.’s second high-west market for wood products, with softwood lumber exports last year totalling over $1 billion. Japan, meanwhile, is the province’s third-largest market for wood products, with softwood lumber exports in 2017 over $738 million. Finally, South Korea is B.C.’s fifth-largest market, with exports totalling over $73 million last year.