Plantation forest growers are being asked to develop new strains and forest resources to meet at least 50% of raw materials requirements for the wood processing industry by 2010.
Currently the industry has a processing capacity of 3-3.5 million m3 a year, but domestic raw materials can only supply 20% of this figure. The deficit is made up from foreign imports, resulting in high costs for the domestic production industry.
The Vietnam Forestry and Wood Products Association has also warned that the industry is suffering from a lack of skilled labour. It needs around 120,000 skilled workers, but has so far been able to recruit only 20,000. At least 2,500 trained engineers and technicians are also required.
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry is now working with businesses and trade associations to open vocational schools to train workers, technicians and engineers.
The industry is also conscious that many managers lack the management, marketing and trade promotion skills
Companies are also being urged to set up websites to promote their products to international markets.
