The Government of British Columbia announced that it is investing $6.2 million to support the forest sector in expanding global markets for B.C. wood products.

The funding is being made available to nine industry trade associations that deliver market development programs on behalf of government and industry. Association activities will focus on expanding markets for B.C.'s solid wood products, with investment priorities reflecting evolving market opportunities in Asia, the U.S.A. and Europe.

Activities will be delivered on a cost-shared basis, with additional funding provided by industry and the federal government.

B.C.'s contribution is being managed through Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), the Province's market development agency for forest products. FII also administers the Wood First program, which fosters the innovative use of wood and wood building systems in B.C., and other programs that promote the many environmental benefits of B.C. forest products.

Building international markets for B.C.'s natural resources is a central part of the BC Jobs Plan, the government's strategy for spurring economic activity and job creation throughout the province.

More than 60,000 British Columbians throughout the province work directly in the forest sector and its 7,300 companies.