world news - 19.10.2004
Vietnamese wooden products export revenue to increase 70% to $1 billion in 2003
Vietnam has found it hard to fulfil a target of meeting 20 per cent of the wood industry's demand for raw materials by 2010 amidst the trend towards wooden products both at home and
abroad.
The Fine Art and Wood Processing Association (FAWPA) said the country's natural forests have so far been able to supply 50,000 cu.m of timber, far short of meeting a national demand of up to a million cu.m a year.
Efforts have been made to expand the forest areas so as to meet the above-said target, but this has proved to be extremely tough, as hundreds of wood processing businesses are set up every year, said the
association.
Unless the country sustains long-term material forest areas, businesses will find it hard to compete in the world and may face a loss in its share of the world market whose demand increased by 8 per cent or US$180 billion, including US$75 billion in imports a year, it stressed.
Wood processors are facing an increase of between 10 and 30 per cent i raw material prices while their product prices remained stable in the world market.
Despite all these difficulties, the FAWPA has assessed the situation and forecast US$1.5 billion in export revenue for 2005 and US$2 billion for 2010.
So far this year, the industry has earned over US$650 million from exports, almost making up its yearly target.
2004 is the fifth year running that Vietnam's wood industry has enjoyed high growth. Its export revenue rose by over 40 per cent annually with this year's figure expected to reach almost US$1 billion, an increase of almost 70 per cent year on year.
To help businesses take advantage of any possible opportunities, the Trade Ministry held an international trade fair in late September and early October, drawing almost 200 businesses. As a result, hundreds of contracts were signed at the event.
Lesprom
See also:
- — Production by Russian timber sector up 3.6% in first 9 months of 2004
- — New MDF-Plant in Poland
- — Timber cargo loading by Russian Northern railways up 5.3% in first 9 months of 2004
- — Plywood supply in Japan rose in July by 11%
- — European consumer pulp stocks fell by 7.2% in September
