Forestry Investment Innovation
Forestry Innovation Investment
Overview
In 2003, the Government of B.C. established Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) to work with industry and the federal government to help maintain, create and diversify markets for B.C. forest products. We work with and support the forest sector to bring advanced wood products and technologies to market; promote our products and forest management practices to the global marketplace, and leverage our resources to ensure the forest sector continues to be a key contributor to the B.C. economy.
Forestry Investment Innovation's mandate is to:
- Position B.C. as a global supplier of world-class environmentally friendly forest products
- Actively maintain, create and diversify demand for B.C. forest products in Canada and in key world markets
- Help break down non-tariff trade and market barriers to ensure opportunities for B.C. forest products.
- Work with the forest industry to promote B.C.’s forest products and forest management to the global marketplace.
- Help ensure that the forest sector, through product development and strong international sales, continues to be a leading contributor to the B.C. economy.
Forestry Innovation Investment (FII) is the B.C. Government's market development agency for forest products. FII works to strengthen and diversify international markets for B.C. forest products.
FII has developed a variety of research, video footage, case studies, forest factsheets and imagery for use by B.C. forest companies and associations to assist with marketing efforts at all levels.
FII has developed a variety of research, video footage, case studies, forest factsheets and imagery for use by B.C. forest companies and associations to assist with marketing efforts at all levels.
Marketing  Initiatives
The Market Initiatives program, encourages the development of export markets and new market segments, particularly in the fast growing, markets of Asia. This helps to diversify the sector, open up new opportunities, and sustain forest sector employment. Recognizing the long-standing importance of the North American market, the Market Initiatives program also focuses on high potential market segments for B.C. wood products in North America. Under the program, FII works collaboratively with the forest industry, the federal government, and the research community, focusing activities and leveraging resources to maximize results.
·        researching opportunities in emerging and potential markets, and initiate early market development activities, with particular emphasis on India, but also in Vietnam;
·        supporting industry trade associations in developing and/or expanding markets and market segments for B.C. forest products;
·        supporting industry efforts to mitigate market access and plant health issues;
·        managing outreach and relationship building in China with Chinese authorities and State-owned real estate development companies, and
·        undertaking early market research and profile building in India.
Many of the activities in the Market Initiatives program are delivered by third-party organizations under a cost-sharing framework that relies partially on contributions from the industry and the federal government of Canada. Organizations receive funding from FII through an annual competitive Call for Proposals.
Forestry in British Columbia is big business. The forest sector is responsible for 35% of B.C.’s total exports ($12.4 billion). Forestry related activities directly support over 7,000 businesses and employ over 60,000 people.