Viet Nam Became The Largest Exporter of Timber and Wood Products in ASEAN Last Year

Ha Noi – Viet Nam became the largest exporter of timber and wood products in ASEAN last year with US$3.9 billion in export sales, said the ASEAN Furniture Industries Council (AFIC), which is focused on promoting the interests of ASEAN furniture industries. Wood products accounted for more than 80 per cent of Viet Nam's total exports, a significant increase over the previous level, according to the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City. Dhanakorn Kasetruwan, Vice President of AFIC, said he believed that the timber trade volume could improve significantly if a timber production zone with stable and competitive pricing were established in the region to help ASEAN exporters enhance their competitiveness, productivity and efficiency before the birth of the ASEAN Economic Community. ASEAN would become a single market by 2015, with larger capital flow, information and labour forces, he said. The AFIC is comprised of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Viet Nam, Myanmar, Indonesia and the Philippines. – VNS Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn