Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The forestry sector isplaying an increasingly important role in Vietnam’s economy, according to aforestry expert.
Do Anh Tuan, head of the Institute of Policy andStrategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, made the statement at aconference in Hanoi on December 18 to analyse the contributions of the forestrysector to growth through the application of input-output charts and the implementationof efforts to reduce emissions from deforestationand forest degradation(REDD+).
He noted the sector’s contributions tothe economy’s added value rose from only 0.5 percent in 2008-2013 to 2.3percent in 2013-2018.
The event, part of an Australian-funded project onforest planting policies to balance the demands of small-scale forest owners,wood processing industry and environment in Laos and Vietnam, aimed to seekpolicy recommendations to encourage planters to switch to a larger scale.
Tuan said forest planting and management has become significantin boosting the sustainable development of Vietnam’s forestry sector.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Hau from theAgro-Forestry-Fishery Statistics under the General Statistics Office (GSO) saidthat the GSO collects statistics on newly-planted forest areas and wood andnon-wood output.
The GSO also summarises information of forestry productsfor the calculation of macro-economic indications, she said.
Dr. Bui Trinh, an advisor the project, said that evaluatingthe contributions of the forestry sector to GDP via input-output charts is important.
He said demand for forestry products does not poseconsiderable impact to the added value of other economic sectors, adding thatit is necessary to encourage farmers to switch to planting large wood forests,while supporting them in developing high quality wood that meets internationalstandards.
Meanwhile, Vu Tuan Phuong from the Vietnam Academy ofForestry Sciences said Vietnam is ready to implement REDD in terms of legalframework and technical capacity.
Participants at the event also discussed forestrystatistics collection methods and contributions of the sector to economicgrowth and sustainable development.-VNA
VNA
