PREMIER Lara Giddings is expected to return from her Asian trade mission today after forming business and education relationships in Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Japan.
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The last leg of the tour saw Ms Giddings meet with more than 80 delegates in Tokyo, Japan, to discuss the implementation of the Tasmanian Forest Agreement.
Her arrival back in Tasmania marks the end of a two-week mission that involved a team of 60 delegates, including representatives from the Launceston City Council and private Launceston business 3p Consulting.
3p Consulting strategy consultant Tom Campbell, who joined the Indonesian delegation, said he had met with a number of Indonesian ministers and the Australia Indonesia Business Council, over two full days of meetings.
Ms Giddings said Japanese companies that stopped buying Tasmanian wood products were in attendance at the Tokyo forum.
The forum was also attended by The Wilderness Society, Environment Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania, Ta Ann Tasmania, and Neville Smith Timbers, to promote the forest industry.
"For the first time in the history of Tasmanian forestry we have been able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the environmental movement to send a powerful message to Japanese buyers that our industry is sustainable," Ms Giddings said.
Ms Giddings said Prime Minister Tony Abbott should heed the pleas of the industry and not dismantle the TFA.
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