THE FOREST INDUSTRIES RESEARCH-AND-DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION PROGRAM

Included is a description of the Forest Industries R&D and Innovation Program and background on its establishment. Past R&D performance by the Canadian forest products industry is examined, as well as the evolution of some major competitive factors, the growing need to increase R&D activity and to effect a shift in emphasis towards higher value-added production. This paper also advocates the advantages of conducting R&D in cost-sharing partnerships which can build synergy, achieve strategic clustering of related industries and improve overall competitive performance.