On October 25, 2016 B.C.’s Minister of Finance, Michael de Jong visited FII India’s office in Mumbai to promote the market development program for wood products in India. The Minister, accompanied by a delegation of senior provincial and federal government officials, joined a networking event with over 30 Indian wood industry leaders.
The event provided an opportunity to promote B.C. wood species to a target audience and position Canada as a long-term sustainable source of fibre able to meet India’s growing demand. The Minister also used the occasion to announce FII India’s regional expansion (Delhi and Bangalore), and the completion of FII’s first wood demonstration project in India.
With Budget 2016, the Province committed $5 million over three years to promote a stronger B.C. wood brand in India. This investment is helping B.C. companies establish themselves as the world’s leading suppliers of sustainably harvested wood products to a market that includes the world’s largest middle class.
The visit to FII’s office in Mumbai formed part of a larger trade mission by Minister de Jong who also met with Indian Finance Minister, Minister of Corporate Affairs in the cabinet of India, Arun Jaitley to discuss ways to continue to strengthen economic ties between India and B.C.
FII India was established in Mumbai in 2012 as a subsidiary company of Forestry Innovation Investment (FII). Market development efforts are delivered in partnership with the B.C. forest industry and supported by the Government of Canada through contributions from Natural Resource Canada. FII India’s primary role is to increase awareness for B.C. (and Canadian) wood species by communicating the benefits of B.C. wood and by providing technical support to customers. For more information on FII India, visit www.canadianwood.in.
