An Australian forest industries delegation is in Japan this week meeting with Japanese industry leaders and government officials. The trip is aimed at forging stronger trade ties and to reinforce Australia’s sustainable forest management practices.
“The delegation will update Japanese trade partners on exciting innovations and emerging opportunities in Australia’s sustainable forest industries,” Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA), Mr Ross Hampton said today.
The delegation is led by APFA, Responsible Wood, and Federal Member for Barker and Co-Convenor of the Australian Parliamentary Friends of Forestry and Forest Products group, Mr Tony Pasin MP, and includes senior representatives of various Australian forestry companies. They will meet with Japanese Government officials, Japanese industry leaders including bioenergy and paper companies, and Tokyo-based Australian officials.
“The delegation’s visit is a timely opportunity to promote Australia’s forest industries and highlight new market opportunities with a valued trading partner,” Mr Hampton said.
“The sustainability and innovation of Australia’s forest industries will be forefront in the delegation’s meetings, with extra focus on hardwood exports to Japan’s mature pulp and paper and emerging biomass markets.
“The delegation hopes discussions will strengthen market access for forest resources into Japan and build on Australia’s reputation as a sustainable, well-regulated and efficient producer of forest products.
“Following the Australian Government’s release of its National Forest Industries Plan in September 2018, this delegation is also an opportunity to inform the Japanese Government and our trade partners about the opportunities the Plan opens up for Australia’s forest industries, particularly through the Australian Government’s commitment to plant one billion new production trees over the next decade, as well as through investment in research and development,” Mr Hampton concluded.