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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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VANCOUVER – B.C. is investing $8.6 million in 35 projects to strengthen existing markets for B.C. forest products and to build new opportunities, Forests Minister Michael de Jong announced today.
“The funding for these projects reflects our New Era commitment to apply one per cent of direct stumpage revenues to aggressively market B.C. forest practices and products around the world,” said de Jong. “B.C. exports 95 per cent of its forest products to the U.S. and Japan. These markets will continue to be extremely important, but the softwood trade dispute and the weak Japanese economy highlight the importance of exploring the potential of new foreign markets.”
The projects are public-private partnerships with contributions from industry and the federal government that increase the total value to $20 million.
The province is funding the projects through Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. (FII). Formed in 2002, FII is the provincial government’s investment mechanism for promoting sustainable forest management in B.C. and for increasing the value of the forest asset through applied research, product development and international marketing activities.
Among the projects announced today: · The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association will promote the benefits of cedar in the U.S. over substitute products such as vinyl. · Forintek Canada Corp. will help B.C. industry improve its competitiveness through technology transfer to support more productive processing methods. · The Council of Forest Industries will study barriers that restrict exports to South Korea, and work with Chinese officials to finalize building codes to support wood construction. · The Coast Forest Lumber Association will reposition hemlock in Japan as a superior structural building product under the brand identity of Canada Tsuga. · The BC Wood Specialties Group will develop and expand niche opportunities for value-added products in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and India.
These projects complement previous investments, including the $12-million Dream Home China demonstration site, an FII-industry partnership announced by Premier Gordon Campbell in April that will promote B.C. building products and wood-frame construction techniques to the fast-growing Chinese housing market. In March, the Premier launched the $3-million BC Market Outreach Network, dedicated to giving international customers the facts about B.C.’s sustainable forest practices and products. Last year, through FII, the province invested $16 million in a number of significant accomplishments, including: · Addressing barriers that limit market access, such as the need for trades people in China and for wood codes and standards in China, South Korea and Taiwan. · Improved the quality and manufacturing efficiency of B.C. wood products through technology transfer, including an improved veneer drying processes that could save the plywood industry $3 million in energy costs and lead to as much as $31 million in additional production each year.
Today’s funding is the result of a competitive call for proposals by FII’s international marketing and product development programs, which are funded by one per cent of direct stumpage revenues, not including super stumpage. FII is also responsible for the B.C. government’s investments in applied forest research and forest products and market acceptance advocacy.
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This release is online at www.bcforestproducts.com. Photos of the event will be available for download at 1:00 pm PST.
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