 China names new processing zone which can receive Alaska logs February 28, 2005
 Photograph by Marya Tyler ©2005
Officials designated the Port of Xiuyu as China's first and only zone for the fumigation of round logs. The fumigation facilities will open for business by June 2005. More than 400 people attended the investment conference - 250 Chinese buyers, importers, and officials and 150 foreign guests, including representatives from three of Alaska's major log exporters. Eliminating trade barriers, such as the log fumigation requirements, is good for Alaska, noted the governor. "China is a key market for our log exporters and that export market helps to keep the forest products industry going in Alaska." Log exports to China totaled $2.9 million in 2004, up from sales of $2.5 million in 2003. Ross Stevens of Sealaska Timber Company made remarks at the conference and used the time to promote Alaska timber resources. Sealaska also signed a letter of intent to lease log storage in the new processing zone. China's officials made the announcement of the establishment of a new processing zone at an investment conference in Putian, China on February 11, 2005. Representatives from forest products companies with Alaska connections included Mr. Stevens, Eric Nichols of Alcan Forest Products, Charles Kim of Trans-Pac, and Yingdi Wang, the State of Alaska trade representative contractor from Beijing.
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