The 6^th China Global Wood Trade Conference (GWT China) will be held in Wuhan during Sept. 13–14, 2016.

From January to November, 2015, China imported 27,419,400 m³ of softwood log, dropping 16.57% year on year, while the volume of imported hardwood logs are 13,134,900m³, dropping 7.01% YoY. Meanwhile, China imported softwood lumber of 15,765,400m³ (down 2.43% YoY) and hardwood lumber of 8,296,600m³ (an increase of 15.55% YoY). Due to varied factors, 2015 is a tough year for timber and wood distribution sector of China to adapt to the new normal of Chinese economy.

As the largest developing country, China is also the world's biggest trader and consumer of timber and wood products. With steady, continuous development of Chinese economy and improvement in living standards, the demand of China for timber and wood products will grow sustainably. At present, the wood consumption per capita of China stands only at 0.4m³/year, and there is a large potential to bring this figure up to 0.7m³/year, the world level per capita. The proposal about promulgation of the 13th Five-year Plan of the central government has made it clear to redouble per capita income by 2020 compared with a decade ago and enjoy widespread improvement in living standards and quality. This will effectively stimulate demand for timber and wood products. In the meantime, accelerated urbanization, upgraded consumption structure, as well as preferences of emerging middle class for self-expression and ecological friendliness are also adding fuel to demand for timber as well as wood products. After China totally bans commercial cutting of natural forest in 2017, there will be a gap of nearly 50 million m³ in wood supply, which will be accommodated by imported wood.

Committed to strategically exploring an sustainable approach for global wood trade from existing problems, the 6th GWT China aims to provide a platform to figure out future opportunities and challenges worldwide, meanwhile offering an insight into wood processing and trade of Hubei Province as represented by Wuhan. Additionally, the Conference works as a bridge between Wuhan-based wood enterprises and global wood suppliers and manufacturers, thus injecting new vigor into wood trade of Hubei and its surrounding areas.

The 6th China Global Wood Trade Conference (GWT China), through a lot of discussions among China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA) and both local and foreign associations, will be held in Wuhan during Sept. 13–14, 2016, with a view to conforming to new trend, pattern, and characteristics in global wood trade, and bringing together domestic and international wood traders and industry figures for exchanges on information about global wood market, technology, and for business talks, thereby helping them learn about opportunities brought to relevant countries and industries by Chinese wood industry, and promoting legal trade and sustainable development of timber and wood globally.

Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, is a shipping center on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It is ideally situated and enjoys convenient transportation. With more than 80% of China's most developed cities reachable to a circle 1200km in radius centered by Wuhan, the city boasts a foothold in the Yangtze River Economic Zone, and also a pivotal city under the One Belt & One Road Initiative. According to projections made by the UN in 2011, Wuhan will be home to 12.7 million people by 2025, ranking 26th among the 37 mega cities with a population in excess of 10 million. Burgeoning urbanization of Wuhan promises great opportunities for wood industry

Taking advantage of opportunities where eastern coastal areas transfer their wood industry inland, Wuhan aims to build itself into the "5th economic zone of furniture industry in China", and has launched the "Wuhan Furniture Industrial Circle" that features Central China Furniture Industrial Park, Hubei (Hong'an) Rongyuan Furniture Industrial Town, and another two similar parks.

About GWT China(www.gwtchina.org)：

China Global Wood Trade Conference (GWT China) is an annual event where global wood traders meet in China. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to learn the latest Chinese and global wood markets information, and to expand your business network.

Established to facilitate and promote information exchange and business cooperation for global wood trade community in 2011, GWT China takes place in one of China’s major port cities each year. Till now, five cities, which are Tianjin, Taicang, Guangzhou, Qingdao and Shanghai have witnessed the remarkable success of previous GWT China Conferences. Every year, GWT China attracts more than 350 participants, including wood suppliers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers as well as trade associations, industry experts, government officials and representatives of international organizations, from more than 20 countries.

About China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (www.cnwood.org):

China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association (CTWPDA), established in 1985 upon the approval of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, is a non-profit organization voluntarily joined by enterprises, institutions and individuals engaged in the timber and wood products (including bamboo and bamboo products) processing and distribution industry. For 30 years, it has been working toward bridging the communication between private sector and policy making agencies, protecting interests of members, promoting good practices and building a good reputation of the Chinese timber and wood products industry. The association is subject to the administration of Ministry of Civil Affairs and the supervision and guidance of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.