Ho Chi Minh City is poised to become a Southeast Asian powerhouse in wood and furniture production and exports, provided that companies ramp up green practices, branding and innovation, industry insiders said.

Vietnam's index of industrial production (IIP) in the January – November period rose 8.4% from the same period last year, reported the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung has congratulated Vietnamese enterprises - the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC) and the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of HCM City (HAWA) - for their initial success in showcasing Vietnamese products in Milan Design Week in Italy - a design & brand arena of furniture businesses around the world.

The UAE, which has to import woodwork and wooden furniture products, has need for living room products, which could be worth US$1.08 billion. This could be a great opportunity for Vietnam exporters.

VOV.VN - Australia increased its imports of wooden furniture from Southeast Asian markets last year, with Vietnam making up a significant portion of the overall figure, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Vietnamese businesses are exhibiting wood products at the World Furniture Expo (WOFX), which kicked off at Bombay Exhibition Centre in India's Mumbai city on November 17.

VOV.VN - The export value of Vietnamese timber and wood products in July stood at an estimated US$1.41 billion, marking a drop of 1.6% from the same period in 2021, and a second consecutive month of decrease this year.

VOV.VN - An exhibition showcasing a range of handicrafts and furniture products opened in Ho Chi Minh City on July 19 , drawing the participation of more than 32 local enterprises.

VOV.VN - Rail Transport and Trade Joint Stock Company (Ratraco) has announced that a new rail freight linking Da Nang to Europe is expected to be launched in early March.

VOV.VN - The Vietnamese Embassy in Canada held a teleconference on November 10 to discuss investment opportunities and the export of wood furniture products to the Canadian market.