The first Congress of Nghe An Wood Processing and Non-Timber Forest Products Association

On the morning of November 26, in Vinh city, Nghe An province's Association of Wood Processing and Non-Timber Forest Products held its first Congress for the 2021-2024 term.

Comrades: Le Quoc Doanh, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ho Xuan Hung, former Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ha Cong Tuan, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Hoang Nghia Hieu - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee attended the Congress.

Overview of the conference this morning. Photo: Phu Huong

Nghe An Association of Wood Processing and Non-Timber Forest Products is a social and professional organization, gathering the masses.voluntaryof Vietnamese citizens and organizations in the wood processing industry, non-timber forest products and related industries, managers and technical experts associated with the processing industry; established under Decision No. 3546/QD-UBND dated September 29, 2021 of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee.

Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh gave a speech at the Congress. Photo: Phu Huong

Nghe An is a province with large areas of forest and forestry land.largest in the countryHowever, the current problem is that the management and protection of forest resources and the organization of forestry production in our province still have many limitations and shortcomings, and have not fully exploited the potential and advantages of the industry.

Speaking at the Congress, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu pointed out the current problems that need to be overcome such as: The quality and efficiency of planted forests are still low, the area of ​​planted forests for large timber business is still limited. The exploitation and processing industry of wood and non-timber forest products has not developed commensurate with the potential and actual needs. Planted forest products are mainly exported as raw materials or simple preliminary processing, leading to a low value chain of goods. The investment value for forestry is still low, not meeting the development needs of the industry. There are still cases of deforestation, encroachment on forest land and illegal logging.

Comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the establishment of the Association is necessary to contribute to the development of the forest economy. Photo: Phu Huong

"Therefore, there is an organization established to support organizations, businesses and individuals to connect tosustainable development"Forestry processing industry is necessary" - Comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu affirmed.

Acacia nursery in Tan Ky. Photo courtesy of Van Truong

The congress discussed and agreedmission directionof Nghe An Wood and Non-Timber Forest Products Processing Association for the term 2021-2024: Building and developing the Association's organization, paying attention to training human resources, inviting experts with good expertise and law to participate in the fields of consulting, criticism, and social appraisal; consulting in the implementation of sustainable forest management and FSC forest certification; legal advice - legal aid to meet the needs of the Association's operations during the period of implementing the renovation and integration of the Party and State today.