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26    FOCUS                                                                       SEP/OCT 2025 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com






         Snapwire                                            lightweight, space-saving products suitable for Indian apartments
                                                             and offices.
                                                                The ongoing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement
                                                             (FTA) between Vietnam and India are also expected to reduce

                                                             import tariffs from 10 percent to five percent further boosting
                                                             competitiveness. If signed the FTA could lay the groundwork
                                                             for  deeper economic  integration  and  longer-term stability  in
                                                             bilateral trade.


                                                             Sustainability, technology upgrades
                                                             In the face of these pressures, the Vietnamese wood industry
                                                             is aiming to elevate its marketing strategy. A central part of
                                                             the strategy is ensuring that all wood used, both domestically

            Meanwhile, the MAE is actively coordinating with US   and for export, comes from legal, verifiable sources.
          governmental bodies to resolve the issues through dialogue   There is a growing push to certify supply chains with
          and technical clarification. Experts have urged Vietnamese   international standards and improve environmental transparency.
          wood businesses  to  expand  into  new markets  to  reduce   The MAE has also called for at least 80 percent of wood
          over-reliance on traditional buyers.               processing and storage facilities nationwide to meet advanced
            In particular, such regions as the Middle East, South Asia,   technological benchmarks.
          Africa,  Latin  America  and  Eastern  Europe  have  emerged   This transition would allow Vietnamese firms to meet the

          because of their growing demand for furniture, construction   increasingly complex technical and environmental demands
          timber and value-added products.                   of foreign customers.
                                                                At the same time, the global shift in supply chains, including
          Exploring new markets                              companies looking to diversify away from Chinese sourcing,
          Among  these  potential  new  markets the Middle  East  offers   offers Vietnamese firms an opening.
          promising opportunities. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and   By  investing  in  compliance,  certification  and  efficient
          Qatar  have  demonstrated  strong  demand  for  luxury  interior   logistics, they can become a trusted alternative in the global
          and exterior wooden furniture, especially for high-end hotels   wood product market.
          and resorts.                                          According to VIFOREST, with proper orientation and

            Vietnamese enterprises are encouraged to participate in   coordinated efforts between the State and enterprises, the
          trade fairs such as Index Dubai, build partnerships with regional   wood industry can not only overcome current challenges but
          distributors and obtain international certifications including   also strengthen its global standing.
          FSC and PEFC to enhance market credibility.           “We must move beyond survival strategies and enter a
            India, too, is becoming an attractive destination for Vietnamese   phase of strategic transformation,” the Association said.
          wood  products.  Rapid  urbanisation,  rising  incomes  and  a   With global demand patterns changing and traditional
          preference for compact, modern furniture have made online   markets becoming more unpredictable, diversification is no

          platforms like Amazon India and Flipkart particularly lucrative.   longer optional, it is vital.
            Vietnamese exporters report strong sales growth in   Whether through entering emerging markets, upgrading
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