The Vietnam Forestry and Trade Network, which aims to preserve natural forests, on June 12 admitted three wood processing companies as members.

The Vietnam Forestry and Trade Network’s experts (photo: WWF Vietnam).

The Vietnam Forestry and Trade Network (VFTN) was established in 2005 by the Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN), WWF’s worldwide initiative to eliminate illegal logging and improve the management of valuable and threatened forests, the Vietnam Timber and Forestry Association and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The network had its first four members in 2006 and three more in 2008. The three latest members are the Khai Vy Group, Tri Tin Co., Ltd and Duc Nhan Group.

“By facilitating trade links between companies committed to achieving and supporting responsible forestry, the GFTN creates market conditions that help conserve forests, while providing economic and social benefits for the businesses and people who depend on them,” said VFTN coordinator Le Khac Coi.

“We are very enthusiastic about participating in the VFTN,” said Doan Van Trang, Khai Vy’s chairman. “We hope that our participation in this forum will help raise the awareness of responsible, sustainable forestry activities.”

Vietnamese exports of wood products have tripled since the mid-1990s, making the manufacture of wooden furniture for export one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. The more than 1,200 companies involved in timber processing require approximately 2 million cubic metres of wood per year.

Increased timber imports are feeding the industry, and the resulting footprint that Vietnam leaves on the forests of other nations could be destructive. By helping processors to find legal and sustainable sources of wood, the VFTN will play a valuable role both in Vietnam and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

There is great potential to build sustainable forestry within Vietnam using certification as a key tool. The VFTN provides a supportive framework by which forest managers can work towards credible certification. In addition, it facilitates links with a global network of responsible buyers, helping to stimulate a vibrant Vietnamese forest industry.

The services and market links provided by the VFTN will help Vietnamese state forest enterprises to comply with current Vietnamese government reforms, which aim to modernise state-owned enterprises and help bring them into the increasingly competitive global market.

Vietnam is the 24th FTN to join this rapidly-growing network, which is active in nearly 30 consumer and producer nations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Over 400 companies have made commitments to responsible forest management and purchasing of forest products, including major retailers such as IKEA, Carrefour, and B&Q.

VietNamNet/VNE/WWF