MUMBAI – Representatives from the Province of B.C., the Government of Canada and the B.C. forest industry have embarked on a six-day trade mission across India to identify opportunities for Canadian wood products, meet with Indian wood product manufacturers and build relationships with the wood using community.
Organized by FII India staff in Mumbai and led by Tim Sheldan, Deputy Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for the Province of B.C., the 15-person delegation includes senior-level representatives from the Government of Canada (Natural Resources Canada), Canfor, Coast Clear Wood Ltd., Tolko, West Fraser, Western Forest Products and Canada Wood.
The mission program includes a day-long information and strategy session, a political update from the Consul General of Canada to Mumbai, and eight site visits to wood product manufacturers in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Mysore.
The program includes visits to several furniture manufacturers including some who have or are currently undertaking product trials using B.C. wood. For example, MAS Furniture Pvt. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of furniture is currently undertaking product trials using western hemlock and SPF. The group will also visit Kelachandra Veneer Industries, one of the largest wood products manufacturers in India using Canadian products for doors.
Economic, demographic and industrial indicators continue to support the case for market development efforts in India and government, industry and trade associations recognize the important role trade missions play in opening emerging markets for Canadian forest products.
For more information, photos and updates on the mission as they happen, follow FII on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/forestry-innovation-investment.
