Business Opportunities for China's Timber MarketChina's steady economic growth and rising timber consumption will further promote an active timber importing business in the coming 5-10 years, domestic and foreign experts agreed at a conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, according to the latest Beijing Review.According to statistics, China's annual timber demand is 260-280 million cubic meters, while the actual supply is around 142 million cubic meters. Firewood aside, the annual shortfall in commercial timber is between 33 and 43 million cubic meters. In the next five years, construction and decorative materials will be in great demand, and annual spending in this area will exceed 300 billion yuan. In 2001, annual timber consumption will hit 240 million cubic meters. About 230 million cubic meters of the wood will be saved in five years because of the natural forest protection project carried out across the nation. Ran Chunxiang, vice president of China Timber Import & Export Co. Ltd., said imported and domestic timber would compete in the Chinese market, where the theme ofˇ°being natural and environmentally friendlyˇ± would continue to be stressed. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |