Improving forest products statistics in Viet Nam

FAO in collaboration with the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Viet Nam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST) and support of the Forest Resources and Environment Center (FREC) conducted a National Workshop on Forest Products Statistics from 10 to 12 April 2019 in Da Nang, Viet Nam.

The workshop brought together over 30 Vietnamese participants representing various stakeholders involved in compilation, use and analysis of forest products statistics. Participants represented three major stakeholder groups:

• public (VNFOREST, General Statistics Office, General Department of Customs, Forest Inventory and Planning Institute and FREC);
• research and academia (Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Southern Forestry Science Institute and Southern Institute of Forest Inventory and Planning); and
• private (Vietnam Timber  and Forest Products Association, Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA), Binh Dinh Timber and Forest products Association, Vinafor Ho Chi Minh Company, Forest Products Export Joint-Stock Company of Quangnam (FOREXCO QUANGNAM) and Sadaco Company).

On the first and second days of the workshop, participants shared experience on data collection, validation and dissemination. FAO and ITTO presented their work on global international reporting on forest products statistics through the Joint Forest Sector Questionnaire. The workshop succeeded in improving communication, better understanding and cooperation between national forest products statistics providers and international organizations.

Field trip to FOREXCO QUANGNAM enterprise was organised on the last day of the workshop. The company manages 1 587 ha of FSC-certified acacia plantations, employs 700 people and produces furniture for exports to US and EU markets (US$ 8 million per year). Participants learned about the whole process from plantation management and raw materials (acacia logs) through intermediate (sawnwood) to the final product (outdoor furniture for exports).

The workshop is a part of FAO’s statistical capacity development programme committed to assist stakeholders in obtaining reliable and up-to-date information on forest products for informed decision-making. The programme helps countries enhance their statistical capacity for forest products. Since 1984, FAO has conducted over 25 regional and national workshops on forest products statistics.