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A new agreement with the Province of Hebei further opens a market in northern China to B.C. wood products and wood-frame building technology, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced at a signing event today. 

“Hebei Province is looking to B.C. for expertise and wood products to grow their wood-based construction sector,” said Bell. “This agreement provides an opportunity to showcase wood-frame construction in northern China.” 

The agreement with Hebei will lead to the construction of a wood-frame demonstration project, such as a multi-storey apartment building. The project will show local developers and consumers how wood-frame designs are energy-efficient, cost-competitive, and well suited to conditions on China’s northern plain. 

The arrangement builds on introducing B.C.-designed wood truss roofing in Hebei and updating local building codes for wood-frame construction. Both projects were supported by Forestry Innovation Investment, B.C.’s international marketing agency for wood products, and Canada Wood, an industry marketing group. 

“The Hebei delegation is impressed with B.C.’s sustainable forest management, advanced wood science and building technology,” said Hebei Vice Governor Song Enhua. “Using wood products will speed up our new housing program and protect the environment by reducing carbon consumption.” 

“Chinese officials are quickly becoming aware of the many benefits of building with wood – energy efficiency, a low carbon footprint and earthquake-resistant,” said Bell. “Thanks to ongoing promotional efforts, Hebei sees B.C. as their preferred supplier of wood products.” 

Hebei has a population of 67 million people and a provincial GDP of over $240 billion per year – the sixth-largest in China. 

China is now B.C.’s fastest growing market for lumber products and recently passed Japan to become the second-largest market by volume after the United States. 

Lumber exports in 2009 hit a record high of 1.6 billion board feet valued at more than $327 million, and the equivalent production of six large Interior sawmills. Sales in the first four months of 2010 are almost double the levels of the same timeframe in 2009.

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