Q: Could you brief on GFTN’s activities?

A: GFTN is an affiliation of national and regional forest & trade networks (FTNs), and Vietnam Forest and Trade Network (VFTN) is one of GFTN’s chapters. Currently, GFTN has its network in 34 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and America. The objective of WWF and GFTN is to eliminate the illegal logging and support the relationship among companies committed to practice responsible forestry, or support responsible forestry through purchasing policies..

GFTN will works with both producer and buyer companies to eliminate illegally logged and traded forest products. This is a basis to develop and promote credible certification as a vital tool in improving forest management. Simultaneously, GFTN also creates favourable conditions for businesses, bringing benefits to businesses as well as those who depend on the forest. GFTN plays a role as a promotion for the trade partnerships between businesses and purchasers and as a provider of the information on the market.

Q: How will export timber processing companies be supported by VFTN and GFTN?

A: After becoming the VFTN’s official member, export timber processing companies in Vietnam, including Binh Dinh’s enterprises, will be able to integrate into GFTN. It also means that Binh Dinh’s enterprises will be known in the world and will be able to cooperate with businesses worldwide with highly reliability. Alongside this, Vietnam’s businesses can have more information about partners and markets and they will be supported in training and promoting the economic, personnel and purchasing management. VFTN also efficiently supports them in the establishment of trade partnerships. Dai Thanh Co., Ltd is a typical example. When joining in the timber products fair in Germany, it had the WWF’s support and its leaders had chance to visit many factories and establish the relationships with Germany’s businesses. Thanks to the support from GFTN and VFTN, Dai Thanh Co., Ltd has continuously extend the cooperation with other partners.

*Q: What do you think about the export timber processing sector in Binh Dinh?

*A: Currently, four cities and provinces are considered as centers for timber products, including Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong and Bien Hoa. This shows that the export timber processing sector in Binh Dinh also plays an important role. This sector not only contributes to the provincial export turnover but also creates jobs for over 20,000 people in the province.

However, the Binh Dinh’s export timber processing sector is now facing many challenges. The timber processing companies in Binh Dinh mainly import raw materials from Central Highlands, Laos and Cambodia, but these sources have gradually become exhausted. This will be a big challenges for them because there are not many forests for raw material in Binh Dinh; meanwhile, the raw material imported from other countries can’t meet the demand in the production. Binh Dinh’s functional bodies and businesses, therefore, need to have specific and practical solutions to help the export timber processing sector in Binh Dinh to develop.