Enterprises need to pay attention to the "green" factor when exporting

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With the wood industry, ensuring the rules of origin is the top issue for exporting to European and American markets.

The world has paid more attention to environmental protection

In order to introduce goods to a new market, especially in large markets such as Europe and the U.S., experts say that the Vietnamese business community still has many challenges. Not only the high demands on quality standards, the consumption trends of Europeans, Americans as well as developed countries are changing faster since the outbreak of the disease. Buyers prefer to choose products that are produced in an environmentally friendly manner, using green energy and ensuring benefits for employees. Therefore, in order to export sustainably, Vietnamese enterprises need to invest in research and apply appropriate policies on the basis of harmony between economic, social and environmental goals.

For example, Europe's market with 500 million people has great potential but has strict requirements on compliance with trade agreements and technical standards. The standards of the European market are very high, yet consumers are willing to pay more for quality products. Europe is not a market for cheap goods, so businesses need to find out information before looking for business opportunities. Having quality products and ensuring the factors of labor, environment, etc. will be a good opportunity for businesses.

Similarly, according to Ms. Vigrinia Foote, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Amcham), the commitment to reduce carbon emissions is very important for companies selling products globally. In the coming time, the use of clean energy sources is also required to reduce the use of carbon dioxide used in industry. Companies must also consider whether in order to manufacture products for export, they must have evidence that meets these requirements. Environmental standards, product safety and quality are very important. The world market is a competitive chain, without improving the capacity and competitiveness, it is difficult for enterprises to gain a foothold because they cannot meet the standards.

These things show that green production is an important link to help Vietnam move towards a green and sustainable economy. Greening production also poses new requirements and requirements for enterprises in line with the general development trend, while enhancing their position and increasing competitiveness in both domestic and foreign markets.

“Legal” production is a condition for increasing export value

One of the major export industries of Vietnam as well as Dong Nai is wood and wood products. According to enterprises, for export wood, one of the prerequisites to bring goods to other countries is that the origin of the product must be legal. The reason is that European countries, the U.S. - the main export markets of Vietnam's wood (the U.S. accounts for about 50%) attach great importance to this issue. If a violation is detected in the origin, the wood materials are not legal, they will be sued and punished very high, so there are almost no enterprises that export infringing goods.

At Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Dong Nai (DOWA), the members of the association always respect the origin of wood. DOWA has also linked 100 enterprises to cooperate together, building a legal wood material market. Wood imported from regions around the world to Dong Nai for sawing, and processing are guaranteed to be inspected according to Vietnamese and international laws.

For the textile and garment industry, according to the commitment in the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) with textiles and garments, the rule of origin is "from fabric onwards", i.e. the raw fabric used to make clothes must be woven in Vietnam or EU member countries. Therefore, textile enterprises are also actively adjusting production processes and raw material sources to meet export criteria, not only to the European market but also to other markets.

Nam Vu