Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced an increased wood trade during the trade mission in China and Japan on Nov. 10.
Among several other events in China, Shanghai Sheet Real Estate is to build 98 single-family homes from wood frame construction using B.C. products, stated Thomson.
In Japan, Thomson announced that the province is providing Japan with $2 million in reconstruction initiatives, following the significant impact of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.
“This is in addition to $1 million previously given for the urgent humanitarian needs,” he said.
Thomson pointed out that the contributions of the B.C. forest industry funding will go towards a community facility that services humanitarian needs.
“Something like elder care facility or a school,” stated Thomson. “That will be determined by local government officials, but the funding will be going into this facility with B.C. wood.”
Around 18 per cent of forest products from British Columbia are exported to Japan.
The trade mission indicates an increasing demand for B.C. wood products.
“(This) will translate back to jobs and activity for our mills and our industry in British Columbia,” he continued. “We have many coastal and interior forest industry representatives with us here on the mission.
“They’re all reporting to me very significant interest and opportunities, so we’re going to continue to work with our resources that we have in place in China and Japan to continue to build on these opportunities.”
Thomson’s trade mission in Asia is a tour through China, Japan and Hong Kong.