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