Vietnam is aiming to become one of the world’s leading centres for the production, processing and trade of forest products, reports Viet Nam News. This is one of the targets of the Viet Nam Forestry Development Strategy for 2021 to 2031 – with a vision towards 2050 – which has been approved by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. The country also hopes to become one of the leading manufactures and exporters of wood products in the world
The strategy aims to harness Vietnam’s abundant tropical forest resources to contribute to socio-economic development, environmental protection, water security and the response to climate change. It can also create jobs and raise incomes for locals, as well as maintain national defense and security, allowing Vietnam to achieve sustainable development goals.
In addition, the strategy ensures equal participation among all economic sectors in forestry activities, which will maximise the use of social resources and allow the application of advanced science and technology.
By 2050, the forestry sector is hoped to be modern, economic and technical with high competitiveness. Using modern and environmentally friendly technology to create a variety of products with high added value, the sector will also widely participate in global supply chains and contribute to the sustainable development of the country. On top of that, the country hopes to preserve traditional cultural identity and living spaces of ethnic minorities.
According to the strategy, forests will be managed sustainably, ensuring that natural resources and biodiversity will be protected in the long term. Efforts will be made to minimise the negative impacts of natural disasters. The sector will also fully implement Viet Nam’s international commitments.
To achieve these targets, the forestry policy system will be reviewed and completed based on the 2017 Law on Forestry, as well as reformations and policies associated with sustainable poverty reduction.
Efforts in creating public awareness about forest protection and laws will also be stepped up.
The strategy also proposes building synchronous forestry infrastructure and modernising the forestry sector and logistics services. It is necessary to restructure concentrated production areas to develop key products in accordance with the advantages of each region associated with forest product processing zones and commercial services.
The sector will step up modernisation, mechanisation and synchronous automation in concentrated commodity forestry production areas. By 2030, the rate of mechanisation in land preparation, seeding, tree planting, care, pest control, forest fire prevention, timber and forest product exploitation and transportation is expected to be at least 30%.
Per the strategy, the State will provide support and issue policies to encourage investment in the construction of at least three high-tech forestry zones in the north, central and south region to promote the development of the forestry sector in a modern way with the use of high technology.
Source: Vietnam News
