A booth at the 2022 Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair. This year the expo will be held from September 20 to 23 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Over 320 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions will introduce their latest woodworking product lines and take part in various activities at the 15th Vietnam International Woodworking Industry Fair to be held in HCM City from September 20 to 23.

It will showcase comprehensive automatic production lines and wood system integration for driving the transformation of the Vietnamese woodworking industry, according to the organisers.

There will be eight themed pavilions from Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, the US, and Taiwan.

The expo will also feature a livestream to showcase the latest technologies from Taiwan and seminars on four key topics: smart factory, keep moving forward simple; green factories towards net zero carbon; machinery health management, smart maintenance; and EU Deforestation Regulation and green supply chains.

Speaking at a press conference earlier this week, Nguyễn Chánh Phương, deputy chairman of the Handicrafts and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA), said wood products exports were down nearly 26 per cent in the first eight months of this year to US$8.3 billion.

But there have been signs of recovery since May, with exports topping $1.2 billion a month, he said.

“From May until now, Vietnamese businesses have also imported large amounts of timber, with its imports going up by 5-10 per cent a month.

“This shows that woodworking firms are actively preparing for year-end orders."

He cited a Vietnam Administration of Forestry forecast that exports in the remaining months of the year would reach $6 billion, taking the year’s total to $14-14.5 billion.

Woodworking firms have invested relatively large amounts in machinery and equipment in recent years, but the use of advanced technologies remains below potential and trails other wood products exporting countries such as China and Poland, he said.

The expo would offer an opportunity for firms to obtain information about machinery and premium materials from countries leading in these areas, he added.

Judy Wang, the president of Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co., Ltd., the expo organiser, said: "Our current emphasis is on smart factory solutions, moving beyond individual machine upgrades to integrated production line solutions, reducing product defective rates, and boosting overall production efficiency."

Yorkers is organising the fair jointly with Vinexad National Trade Fair & Advertising JSC and HAWA.

The expo will be held together with the Vietnam International Furniture Accessories, Hardware & Tool Fair at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7. — VNS