FLEGT-VPA Workshop and its Implications for Business Strategies

Event date, November 28th 2016

On November 28, 2016, Center for Education and Development (CED) collaborated with the Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA) to organize a workshop on “FLEGT-VPA and its potential impact on business strategies” and Training in “Capacity Building for enterprises to satisfy FLEGT-VPA requirements” Minh Sang Plaza, 888, Binh Duong Boulevard, Thuan An, Binh Duong province. This is one of the activities under the project: “Promoting Private Sector Participation in the Implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)” by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) funding.

The one day training workshop were held with participation from 80 representatives from BIFA members, Binh Duong Department of Industry and Commerce, Binh duong department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE), Provincial Department of Forest Protection, Binh Duong Department of Customs and selected media. The training workshop focused on: introduction to major elements of VPA, key principles and criteria of the Legality Definition (LD) and guidance for the businesses to comply with these requirements; assessment of readiness of participating businesses in Binh Duong and nearby provinces to VPA; providing updates and Q&A on customs regulations for timber processing businesses, introduction of environmental funds for timber processing companies to improve its environmental management systems.

Despite the short duration of the workshop and training course, a lot of provided information, content and large number of trainees. The workshop and training course finished, five groups had built the supply chain of five sample enterprises. In addition, participants recognized that meeting the legal requirements for timber to comply with VPA requirements was essential and important for processing timber businesses and furniture producers and exporters.

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