BC Forestry Trade Mission Travels to Asia to Expand Lumber Markets

On Thursday, the BC government said a delegation led by BC Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar will travel to Japan and South Korea to diversify and expand the province’s forestry sector.

Beginning November 8, the seven-day trip—described as the largest BC forest-sector mission to Asia—follows the recent announcement of a Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) office in London and aims to expand global reach, strengthen partnerships, and open new markets for BC wood products.

The mission’s goals include forging new and existing partnerships built on diplomacy and respect; highlighting BC innovation such as value-added wood products, mid-rise buildings, and mass timber construction; and reinforcing BC as a leader in sustainable forestry rooted in local prosperity and stewardship.

Parmar will be joined by Deputy Minister Makenzie Leine, representatives of Doman, FII, First Nations, and other industry participants. In a “Team Canada approach,” Alberta officials—including Todd Loewen, Alberta’s Minister of Forests—will also join the mission.

Delegates plan meetings with Japan’s Forestry Agency and South Korea’s Land and Housing Research Institute, and site visits to manufacturers including Mitsubishi Estate Wood Panel Plant, Xyence Pressure Treating Plant, and Younglim Headquarters, a major Korean wood-product manufacturer and importer of Canadian wood.