MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- A delegation of Chinese and Korean wood and lumber companies is visiting Idaho and Montana.

The group spent Thursday in Coeur d'Alene at the Small Log Conference, hosted by the Forest Business Network.

The delegation arrives in Missoula Friday, where the Montana World Trade Center at the University of Montana will introduce its members to Montana wood products, lumber companies and the state timber industry.

Organizers are hopeful the visit will open a new market to the companies, which represent more than $300 million in annual lumber imports throughout the world.

Trade center executive director Arnie Sherman tells the Missoulian (http://bit.ly/ZF9cqg) the company representatives want to buy and they like what they see in Northwest timber and pine.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com

Copyright 2013 The AP.