Following the success of the AHEC 17th SEA & GRCH Convention in 2012 in Singapore, it is my pleasure to announce that AHEC 18th SEA & GRCH Convention is scheduled on June 20, 2013 in Harbin, Heilongjiang China. I would like to welcome you to the convention.

China's economy, for the past 11 years has been sustained double digit growth rate but in 2012 the economy has slowed down to single digit growth at around 7.9%. Exports have slowed down due to slow demand of the developed economies. We have seen a gradual change from export and import to domestic consumption. Since the global economic downturn in 2009, the domestic consumption in the past two years has led the recovery from the global economic meltdown. The growing demand of China's domestic market has complemented the overseas weak export markets. China has been one of the important exports markets for US hardwood and since 2006 China has ranked number one for importing US hardwoods. In 2012, GRCH and SEA market are accounted for 51% of the global hardwood lumber export market.

Harbin is the capital of Heilongjiang, known for China's timber trade hub with millions cubic meter of timber annual shipment to China. There are over 2,000 solid timber products enterprises located in Heilongjiang and its neighboring provinces producing furniture, flooring, doors and joinery to meeting the growing demand of China's domestic as well as the overseas markets.

Heilongjiang Forestry University, one of the best and famed forestry universities in China, educates thousands of graduates in the forest product processing industry.

AHEC is grateful for the strong support from the trade and design industries, associations and communities across China and SEA. Supporting organizers include China Timber & Wood Products Distribution Association, Harbin City Furniture Association and National Hardwood Council of STTA.

Other associations supporting this Convention include those from timber, furniture, flooring and interior designs in China, as well as China National Furniture Association, Liaoning Furniture Association and China Institute of Interior Designers. AHEC is also grateful for the continuous support from trade and design associations and industries, as well as media from China and Southeast Asia.

I would like to thank the Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) of the USA in Shenyang, US hardwood industry and AHEC members for their supports. It is expected that over 30 AHEC member companies from the USA or their representatives from China will travel to Harbin to meet with the local timber traders and users.

The Convention themed "American Hardwoods: Consistent Quality and Sustainable Supply" in Harbin features a strong panel of six keynote speakers including forestry experts from Washington DC and UK, National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) Chief Inspector on Lumber Grading from Memphis, USA, furniture designer from USA, lumber and furniture experts from China.

Last but not least I would like to thank all the audiences and participants from the design and manufacturing industries to attend the Convention and I wish you all have the fruitful Convention and make new business partnership.