Тhe total value of China foreign trade of forest products rose almost 18% to $18 billion in the first half of 2005

Oct 17, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. As the foreign trade of China’s forest products has developed rapidly in recent years, the country’s trade deficit has sharply shrunk. According to China Customs, the total value of foreign trade in national forest products was $32.33 billion in 2004, with the deficit felling to $350 million, $1.63 billion less than in 2003. In the first half of 2005, the total value of foreign trade of forest products rose almost 18% to $18 billion. Of the total, the value of exports grew 31% to $9.2 billion recording for the first time ever a trade surplus of $420 million. The trade surplus was achieved by optimizing the structure of imported and exported forest products. Imported forest products were mainly resource products such as logs, sawnwood, wood pulp and waste paper, paper and paper products, while exported forest products comprised higher valueadded downstream products and labour-intensive products including furniture, paper products, small wooden products, wood-based panel, rattan, grass and reed products. China will take measures to further promote international trade in forest products. These measures include: - Study the potentials of forest products in terms of regional layout, structural adjustment and market circulation. - While consolidating exports position of traditional forest products with international competitive capacity, exploit and export cash forest products, bamboo products, flowers and forest food. - Promote and develop timber processing industry actively, especially fine and downstream processing industry by exploiting intellectual property products, undertaking research, developing new varieties and strengthening cultivation of seed and seedling. - Strengthen standardisation, improve product quality and international competitive capacity. Work out and revise quality standards of forest 12 ITTO Tropical Timber Market Report 10/16 1-15 October 2005 products in line with international practice. Improve national and industrial standards. Formulate production technical regulations. Improve products check and inspection system. - Identify leading enterprises and create position brand products internationally through optimization and upgrade of forestry industry. - Improve the detection of supply and demand changes as well as import and export trends for forest products.