Wellington, Mar. 21 : New Zealand’s Forestry Minister Jim Anderton will leave on Saturday for India.

Anderton will lead a trade delegation that will focus on India's burgeoning housing industry.

India is New Zealand's fifth largest export market for wood products, worth 65 million dollars last year and growing fast.

"Emphasis on protecting its native forest means India needs to import timber to meet growing demand," stuff. news. co quoted Anderton, as saying.

"New Zealand is well placed to meet this need. Developing new markets for timber solutions will maximise the value of our large, sustainably managed pine plantation resource."(ANI)