There is need for the government to evolve a credible forest certification mechanism in order to promote wood trade with international markets, according to Mr T.R. Manoharan, Head, Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) – India.

There was increasing pressure from the global market in this respect and the Government should expedite the ongoing procedures to put the system in place, he said recently during an interaction organised by GFTN – India and World Wide Fund (WWF) – India with the Malabar Chamber of Commerce to promote new market links in responsible wood trade between India and Vietnam.

Lack of awareness

He noted that there was a severe lack of awareness among the various players in the field about the emerging legislations and new regulations in the national and international arena. The authorities should take necessary steps to ensure active participation of different stakeholders at the time of framing policies related to wood processing and other forest-related industry.

He also said that the government should give fiscal incentives and tax concessions to the timber and wood-related industries to attract young entrepreneurs to the sector.

The meeting was attended by more than 100 participants representing industry associations, wood processors, manufacturers, exporters and senior officials from the government. A 13-member delegation from Vietnam, organised by GFTN – Vietnam, attended the session to explore the business opportunities, share their experiences and learn from the Indian counterparts. The team was headed by Mr Nguyen Due Minh, Director, North East Trading and Services Company Ltd, Hanoi.

The participants at the meeting felt that, as the business link between India and Vietnam was being strengthened, it was important that crucial players in India's export trade interacted with their Vietnamese counterparts.

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