Tiếng ViệtIn the afternoon of January 3, 2024, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh participated in and led a conference held in Hanoi, which focused on assessing the accomplishments of 2023 and outlining the objectives for 2024 within the domains of agriculture, rural development, wood, and forestry. The event was virtually connected from the central hub, located at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development headquarters in Hanoi, to 63 locations across provinces and centrally administered cities. The conference saw the presence of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as leaders from various departments, boards, ministries, central agencies, provinces, and centrally administered cities.
Addressing the conference, Mr. Ngo Sy Hoai, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (VIFOREST), announced that the anticipated export turnover for wood and wood products in 2023 is approximately 13.4 billion USD, marking a decline of 16.2% compared to the previous year, 2022. More specifically, the expected export turnover for wood products alone is estimated at 9.2 billion USD, reflecting a decrease of 22.9% compared to the figures from 2022.
Despite encouraging signs of recovery in recent months, the sluggish pace of improvement is attributed to the slow growth of the global economy, coupled with persistently low demand. Consequently, the overarching trajectory for the export of wood and wood products is still on a downward trend. The anticipated export figures for wood and wood products in 2023 are forecast to achieve only 79% of the initially set plan at the beginning of the year.
Lately, forestry enterprises have undergone a significant transformation, closely aligning with the Prime Minister’s commitment at the COP26 conference to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Mr. Ngo Sy Hoai emphasized the crucial role of wood industry businesses.
Underscoring the perspective, the Vice Chairman of VIFOREST highlighted that wood industry businesses see the European Union’s anti-deforestation regulations (EUDR) as an opportunity to restructure the sector. In contrast to some countries still uncertain about the regulations, Vietnam has steadfastly implemented its action plan. The close coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, international organizations, and the EU is highly appreciated. Specific actions have propelled the Vietnamese wood industry to a leading position in the region.
During the conference summarizing the Agriculture and Rural Development sector, the leadership of the Wood and Forestry Product Association suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs improve communication and diplomacy related to the sustainable wood industry. This initiative aims to aid other countries in comprehending Vietnam’s endeavors toward sustainable transformation.
In a conversation with Mr. Ngo Sy Hoai, Minister Le Minh Hoan commended the proactive involvement of the association. He acknowledged the close collaboration between the Association and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in adjusting to the new regulations of the EU and fostering the development of a sustainable forest ecosystem.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has actively suggested collaborating with the Timber and Forest Product Association, along with the Association of Seafood Processing and Export of Vietnam, to tackle challenges and boost the production and export of forestry and aquatic products. Following the ministry’s proposal, the Prime Minister urged the State Bank to execute a preferential credit package of 15,000 billion VND, with over 70% disbursed as of now. As a result, the Prime Minister affirmed the government and the State Bank’s readiness to offer credit support to the agriculture sector.
Source: goviet.org.vn
