Pre-set goals for wood export within reach in 2010

VGP – Việt Nam’s timber exporting firms have sealed contracts worth of around US $3 billion, an increase of US $320 million against the same period last year, for exporting wooden products until the end of 2010, said the Việt Nam Timber and Forest Product Association (Viforest).

May 21, 2010 7:05 PM GMT+7

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The wood industry sets a strategic target to pocket US $5.4 billion of export turnover by 2015 and US $7 billion in 2020.

Hence, this year, the industry has to earn at least US $3 billion from exporting timber products.

In the first five months, Việt Nam has earned US $1.4 billion from timber exports, up 35% year-on-year.

The US, Japan, China and Belarus remain traditional importers of Việt Nam.

However, said Mr. Nguyễn Tôn Quyền, President of Viforest, domestic enterprises have to encounter with three major obstacles - the Lacey Act (the US) and the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade – FLEGT (the EU) on certificates of origins; no qualified provider of input material; and low competitiveness.

Mr. Quyền suggested timber exporters utilize legal wood, seek big contracts and understand styles of overseas customers.

By Hương Giang