B C Lumber industry further strengthens ties with Japan

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): The Canada Wood Office and the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) celebrated 40th anniversary of its presence in Japan. The activities coordinated by the delegates from British Columbia's 2014 Forestry Asia Trade Mission proclaimed the milestones achieved during this long-lasting collaboration to the benefit of BC wood industry.

Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations congratulated Canada Wood and COFI on its 40th anniversary in Japan. Also, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation and Tourism awarded the contract for construction of 9,000 square metre, five-storey elderly care facility in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, which when completed would be the largest wood building of its kind in Japan.

"British Columbia is Japan's number one supplier of softwood lumber products and a valued partner. I look forward to continuing growth for BC wood products in Japan over the next 40 years," said Rick Jeffery, president, Canada Wood Group.

The 40th anniversary reception was hosted by Canada's ambassador to Japan, Mackenzie Clugston. The grand reception was attended by Japanese architects, builders and customers who have made Canada the preferred source for high-quality, sustainably harvested forest products for use in the Japanese construction industry.