>>> 2018 a successful year for wood industry
The event drew the participation of over 600 delegates from the relevant ministries, central agencies, localities and international organisations, as well as representative from more than 300 businesses, to discuss the lessons learned from wood processing and exports in 2018 towards breakthrough solutions for 2019.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), in 2005, Vietnam's wood and forest product processing industry began to join the US$1 billion export club, exporting to 60 countries and territories worldwide.
In 2018, Vietnam earned US$9.38 billion from exporting wood and forestry products, making up over 23% of the agricultural sector’s export turnover and recording a trade surplus of US$7 billion.
Vietnamese wood and forestry products have been sold to over 120 nations and territories. The country is the fifth largest exporter of wood and forestry products in the world, second in Asia, and first in Southeast Asia.
In assessing the achievements by the sector, PM Phuc stressed that Vietnam has been at the top of ASEAN, ranked second in Asia and the 5th in the world in timber plantation exports. Compared to 2005, export turnover has increased by 900%, an increase which has not been achieved by any other industry, he stated.
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc surveys wood processing equipment at the forum. (Photo: VGP)
However, Vietnamese wood products only account for 6% of the global market share, so a development strategy must be formed to turn Vietnam into a wood processing export centre by 2030, PM Phuc asked.
To realise the goal, the government leader urged the parties concerned to fully identify the potential and advantages of the industry to promote, utilise and grasp the opportunities for its sustainable development and efficiency.
In addition, it is necessary to continue developing sufficient and legal raw materials from planted forests for furniture exports, thus helping enterprises to maintain export surplus at high levels. This is the basis for forming a unique identity and national pride, PM Phuc stressed.
He also proposed that wood and forest product processing enterprises upgrade and apply high-tech in production and design to make better products that meet the increasing demands of the market, while paying attention to business branding and national brand development for timber products, as well as promoting law enforcement on forest protection and development.
