Vietnam's forestry sector plans to reach at least $7.5 million in exports and a 6.6% increase in production value during 2017.

As Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ha Cong Tuan, said, in the first six months of 2017, the sector basically fulfilled its assigned tasks and targets, which is expected to help increase the forest coverage to 41.45% this year.

However, the sector still faced several shortcomings. Despite decreasing deforestation, over 1,000 hectares were lost while the alternative afforestation progressed slowly. Tuan asked relevant agencies to exert efforts to deal with difficulties in forest production, and drastically implement the target programme on sustainable forestry development in 2016-2020 and complete a draft law on forest protection and development, Vietnam Net reported.

Tuan drew attention to the need for specific measures to plant alternative forests, as during January-June, the forest production value grew 5.29%. The export turnover of woodwork and forest products reached $3.77 billion, up 12.7% year-on-year.

Moreover, Vietnamese wood products have to date been shipped to over 100 countries and territories and, during the mentioned period, 40,612 hectares of alternative forests were planted, equivalent to 60% of the total area that needs to be covered.

(Source: globalwoodmarketsinfo.com)