Vietnam: Timber industry looks to double exports.

(From Thai Press Reports)

Section: Regional News - The timber industry has set an ambitious US$5.5 billion export target for 2010, says Vietnam Timber and Forest Product Association (ViForest) Chairman Nguyen Ton Quyen, though several challenges await.

Last year alone, export turnover was valued at around $2 billion.

The key problems for ViForest, and manufacturers in general, will be increasing the supply of locally grown timber and raising processing capabilities. Only a handful of companies can export 100 containers of timber-made products a month, while only few farmers have allocated more than ten hectares of land for planting.

Due to …