Bright future for export of wood and handicrafts
According to HAWA, Europe is one of the major markets for wood furniture and handicrafts in Vietnam, with export turnover of wood and wood products to the EU reaching US $ 741.8 million in 2016, Europe is Vietnam's fourth largest export market after the United States, Japan and China.
Europe is also a major market for Vietnamese handicrafts, of which the export turnover of rattan and bamboo products to the market reached $ 95.18 million and was the largest market, accounting for 35% of the total price. export value; Export turnover of fine art ceramics in this market last year also recorded a growth of over 4%, reaching 70.7 million.
Speaking at the seminar, Bui Thi Thanh An, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that the prospects of developing wood and handicrafts in the European market in 2017 are forecast to increase. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is expected to come into force in 2018 and the Voluntary Partnership Agreement forest law enforcement, trade in timber and wood products (VPA / FLEGT) was initialed by Vietnam and the European Union in May 2017.
According to Nicolas Audier, most handicrafts and furniture exports from Vietnam to the EU will be subject to zero tax when EVFTA comes into effect. This tax rate applies to wood products and wood products (EVFTA tax is 3%); bamboo or rattan furniture (pre-tax rate 5.6%); wooden boards (4%), wooden decorations (3%). This commitment will significantly improve trade between Vietnam and the EU.
However, the speakers also emphasized the challenges that Vietnamese wood enterprises will face in the coming time. Accordingly, the commitment of origin will increase the legal import of timber for enterprises due to the fragmentation of timber wood planted in Vietnam, the size of the small plantation forest so difficult to access. derived.
The percentage of forests certified for FSC is very limited, only about 2 - 3%. Along with that, the requirements on food hygiene and safety, animal and plant quarantine also create difficulties and challenges for Vietnamese enterprises. Therefore, businesses need to actively capture information and control raw materials as well as production and processing activities to take advantage of the commitments in the agreement.
At the workshop, experts provided businesses with information on European furniture market trends, regulations for exporting wooden furniture and handicrafts to the European market.
