Good morning, ladies, and gentlemen.

I am pleased to be part of the Opening Ceremony of the 15th edition of the VietnamWood.

First of all, I would like to thank the organizers for this delightful opportunity, and I would like to welcome all the delegates and present visitors.

VietnamWood is the event of big interest because it correctly shows driving trends of our industry at the local and regional market. Vietnam remains an attractive destination to European investors in wood processing industry as the world’s leading furniture exporter. Wood-related business has always been centrally positioned. Nowadays, we are witnessing some promising projects which aim to turn our sector into a key economic one and promote the trademark of Vietnamese wood products domestically and internationally. Such approach continues to increase investor confidence in the country’s trade and investment environment.

Despite these positive trends, the space for improving woodworking business is still large, the potential is here, and the momentum is now.

In the coming 3 days, we will have the opportunity to

• boost sales

• build on existing customer relationships, but also

• establish new industrial synergies through the KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE – a topic where

  European industry players can really make a difference.........

  Distinctive aspects of European woodworking industry

  because European woodworking sector has its own integrity and reputation. It has precise quality standards along the entire value chain.

  Main drivers are:

• Automation – which favours reduction of time and costs.

• Sustainability – new engine of manufacturing business models

• End-user experience - analysed through the adequate communication strategies.

  Automation is one of the central drivers because today the market is asking for information in real- time. Besides time and cost savings, automation can answer the raising challenge of customized (personalized) goods by applying various types of digital modeling. THE PROCESS IS COMPLEX AND AUTOMATION ASKS FOR STANDARDS - AND FOR SKILLED WORKFORCE. It is also important to define the right measure of automation - Where and how much to automate to best capture the over the long term.

  Sustainability is another leading topic in terms of the optimization of resources. In the woodworking sector, this concept is best captured within circular economy as the new business model which contributes value chain redesign and optimization. Even more, consumers’ habits are evolving in line with this concept.

  That’s why European business model takes into account the end-user experience - very important aspect because community acceptance of the technological solutions is always necessary for their duration and improvement in the future.                      Added value to the local economy.                                                                                                                                          

  If we put together all these mentioned drivers, our knowledge, experience, and promising market potential, we could really make an added value for the local industry.

  It could help Vietnam:

• meet its expectations on woodworking:

• Improve woodworking manufacturing share in GDP.

• Raise its exports.

• Improve infrastructure and workforce skills leading to better macroeconomic performance.

  VietnamWood is the right occasion to set the ground for that.

  New Free Trade Agreement has helped see Vietnam rise to become the EU's largest goods trading partner in the ASEAN and rank as one of the EU market’s top 10 suppliers.                                                                                                                             

• Coming back to the importance of the VietnamWood

• The success of the innovation stands in the collaborative effort between wide range of stakeholders. By putting it in place we could reach higher competitiveness and attractiveness of our sector.

  Rich programme of the VietnamWood 15th edition made of numerous seminars and conferences, plentiful keynote speakers from influential industry associations will give us a good platform for further dialogue needed make clear guidelines for effective management practices.

  I am sure all of you will find the topic of your interest. Wish you successful and healthy stay in Ho Chi Minh. Thank you again and welcome to VIETNAMWOOD 2023!