Implementing the VPA/FLEGT, opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese timber processing and exporting enterprises

The Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT) was signed by the Government of Vietnam and the European Union (EU) in October 2018, and it is being implementing. The VPA/FLEGT is an important part of broader provisions of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). It is necessary to analyze both positive and negative impacts of the VPA/FLEGT on timber processing and exporting enterprises in order to detect policy gaps, assess the compliance of timber producing, trading and processing enterprises with social and environmental regulations, and assess the compliance of these enterprises with the VPA/FLEGT and the EVFTA’s provisions. This paper makes some recommendations on relevant mechanisms, policies and solutions for state management agencies, industry associations, and enterprises.