International wood fair opens in Binh Duong

Binh Duong (VNA) – An international fair on woodworking machinery and wood materials kicked off in the southern province of Binh Duong on October 24.

The BIFA Wood 2018, jointly held by the Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA) and the Panels & Furniture Group of Wood Magazines, draws the participation of over 180 enterprises from host Vietnam and many countries and territories from across the world, which are showcasing their products at 780 booths.

Seminars on automation technology in the sector and wood materials from the US and Europe, and entertainment activities are also expected to be held during the four-day fair.

BIFA President Dien Quang Hiep said that in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the fair offers a good chance for the Vietnam wood processing sector to gain access to modern technology.

It also creates a venue for both domestic and foreign enterprises to meet, establish and expand long-term cooperation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s timber sector.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Thanh Liem stated Binh Duong is the centre of Vietnam’s wood industry, with its export turnover in 2017 accounting for more than 50 percent of the country’s total wood export value, surpassing 4 billion USD.

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading wood processing and exporting countries with an export turnover of 8 billion USD in 2017. The figure is expected to hit 9 billion USD this year.

The nation sets a target of 20 billion USD in wood exports by 2025.-VNA