The workshop focused on launching the project aimed at enhancing private sector engagement in the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process related to timber legality in Vietnam. Participants discussed cooperation opportunities, finalized training materials, and provided input on toolkit adjustments to ensure better compliance and understanding among businesses. The event underscored the importance of strengthening dialogues between businesses and government agencies to facilitate the effective implementation of the VPA.

1. 1
WORKSHOP
Launching and Planning for Project "Promoting private sector engagement in the
Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) process and collect the consultation comments to
business training materials to implement FLEGT-VPA's requirements"
The project was funded by the FAO-EU-FLEGT
"Promoting the involvement of the private sector in the process of implementing the
Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)"
Da Nang, September 23rd, 2016

2. 2
Contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................... 3
2. Workshop agenda and details............................................................................................... 3
3. Summary of discussions about the toolkits............................................................................ 7
4. Conclusion.......................................................................................................................... 10
5. An overall assessment of the workshop............................................................................... 10
Appendix 1: Workshop Agenda .................................................................................................. 11
Appendix 2: Some photos........................................................................................................... 12
Table of Figures
Figure 1: An overall assessment of the workshop.......................................................................... 11

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1. Introduction
Workshop: Launching and planning for the project, and collecting consultation comments on
business training materials to implement FLEGT-VPA's requirements in the project
framework, “Promoting private sector engagement in the VPA process”, funded by the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The workshop was held by the Center for Education and Development (CED), in collaboration
with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Da Nang (VCCI Da Nang) on
September 23, 2016 at Bamboo Hotel, 125 Phan Chu Trinh Street, Da Nang City. This was the
first activity of the project and the objectives of the workshop included: Discussion about
cooperation opportunities among partners in the activities of the project (the role of business
associations, VCCI and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the process of licensing,
supporting and monitoring businesses); Discussion about finalization of the program and
business training materials to meet the FLEGT-VPA's requirements.
There were 25 participants representing the Timber Business Associations attending the
workshop: Binh Duong Furniture Association (BIFA), Forest Products Association of Binh Dinh
(FPA), Vietnam Rubber Association (VRA), Timber and Forest Product Association of Vietnam
(VIFORES); representatives of VCCI Da Nang, a representative group of trainers joining in the
NEPCON training; Representatives of the NEPCON project; Representatives of timber
enterprises processing and exporting in the Central region attending the NEPCON ToT training
(Hue, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai); Representatives of VNGO FLEGT network and
the CSOs implementing projects related to FLEGT-VPA.
2. Workshop agenda and details
 The workshop was organized on 23 September 2016, including a morning session and
an afternoon session
 Morning Session: Opening, summarizing the main results of the 2014 projects,
introducing activities of the new project (2016) and discussion
 Afternoon session: Introduction of Toolkit on timber legality and general
discussion(See appendix 1 for the detailed agenda)
Morning Session: Opening, summarizing the main results of the 2014-2015 projects,
introducing activities of the new project (2016-2017) and discussion.
Mr. Nguyen Dien - Deputy Director of VCCI Da Nang made opening remarks and introduced
the participants. After that, Ms. To Kim Lien - Director of CED, briefed the workshop on the
project’s planned activities and the objective of the planning workshop. Subsequently, Mr. Vu
Anh Minh, Deputy Director of CED,summarized the main results of the previous year’s project
(2014-2015) and introduced the project’s new activities (2016-2017) “Promoting private
sector engagement in the VPA process”.
The participants discussed and agreed with the project’s objectives and activities:

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The project’s main objective: To enhance the understanding of and compliance to legal
frameworks, to promote legal production and best management practices throughout the
timber product value chain in Vietnam, and to strengthen public-private dialogues to advance
the VPA process in Vietnam.
The project objectives:
 Increase business access to information on legality requirements according to
Vietnamese laws and regulation on Timber Legality (TL)
 Strengthening public – private dialogues in advancing the VPA process
Output 1: Increase business access to information on legality requirements according to
Vietnamese laws and regulation on Timber Legality (TL)
 Activity 1.1: Project Launch and Participatory Planning Meeting
 Activity 1.2: Revision of training agenda and materials for businesses
 Activity 1.3: Conduct training for SMEs in the North, Central and Southern Areas
Output 2: Strengthening public – private dialogues in advancing the VPA process
 Activity2.1: Regional and national dialogues
 Activity2.2: Communication and outreach
Output 3: Monitoring, evaluation and visibility framework development.
 Activity 3.1: Organize courtesy visits with the European Union Delegation and
Food and Agriculture Organization representatives responsible for FLEGT
activities as well as with other relevant stakeholders
 Activity 3.2: Evaluation of project outputs and organization of project closure
meeting
The participants discussedand provided specificinputs for the project’s planned activities and
the possibility of cooperation between the different business associations and CED. The
participants’ discussion focused on contents and approaches for training activities,
strengthening communication, and how to design and support dialogues between businesses
and governmental agencies. The participants’ suggestions are summarized below.
Activity 1.2 and 1.3: Business training (including adjusting of NEPCON document and
organizing a pilot training course for the association’s members):
- CED will cooperate with selected Timber Associations to train businesses on VPA
requirements using NEPCON’s toolkit as a starting point. The toolkit has to be updated
based on the latest versions of VPA annexes (VNTLAS). It is planned that CED will work
with trainers trained by NEPCON’s project to develop an appropriate training agenda,
contents, and approaches for business members of the selected associations;

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- It was agreed by all participants that training for businesses should be organized to
last a maximum of one day, use Vietnamese language, and focus on the main
principles, evidence and examples, and shouldn’t focus too much on technical details,
because specialized or designated staff of businesses can learn more if needed;
- NEPCON’s toolkit only had profiles from 6 timber exporting countries (defined as high
risk countries) while Vietnam imports timber from many countries, sowe have to refer
to existing profiles from the FSC to have more information on other countries;
- There is a strong need to develop a due diligence systemfor imported timber;
- The legal documents described in the toolkit are too lengthy and technical for
businesses; on the other hand, different businesses (different in scale and
participating indifferent parts of the supply chain) are interested in different issues (or
legal documents/requirements). Therefore, documents should provide clearer
guidance on how to use the toolkit and which types of businesses willneed which kind
of tools;
- Some of the trained trainers are concerned that a one-day training course is too short
to practice the toolkit;
- Business associations and VCCI recommend dividing the target groups in businesses
(business managers/owners, sales,import-export staff)and organizing training and/or
events accordingly. For example, VCCI can train businesses about certificate of origin
(C/O) in one day. It is important to select the right participants for training;
- Some local NGOs shared their lessons and experiences on how to get businesses
interested and participating in these training events (especiallySMEs and households).
They will have to cooperate with local authorities, for example, the Forest Protection
Department (FPD) will issue invitations for business training;
- The project should target business association staff, staff from businesses importing
timber and local forest rangers, and other business representatives for different
companies along the supply chain (from imported raw timber, plantations, export) like
Glasshouse Company;
- As the VPA is going to be signed soon, it is necessary to provide training for businesses
to prepare them to adapt to the signed VPA to ensure effective implementation;
- The roles of business associations should be strengthened as businesses will need
support, guidance, and representatives from their associations. It is necessary to
summarize and disseminate the key points of the VPA for businesses and guide them
to use tools designed suitably for each type and size of business (the toolkit needs to
be revised and updated accordingly).
Activity 2.1: Organize a dialogue for business and forest ranger agencies.

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- The project should organize a forum for Central and Local Forest Rangers to discuss
with associations and business representatives, a forum for law and policy makers
(e.g. LegalDepartment of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry
of Justice) and law enforcement officers to ensure that all related stakeholders have
the same understanding about laws and regulations related to FLEGT-VPA. This is very
important for effective implementation of the VPA in the future;
- The project should organize FLEGT-VPA dialogues between the public officers in Binh
Duong, where a lot of large enterprises processing and producing timber are located.
Activity 2.2: Promoting Communication
- Workshop participants recommended that CED should develop e-newsletters for
businesses. It is also necessary to confirm the role of VCCI and associations in the VPA
implementation process. The first edition should be released soon before all technical
details have been finalized to ensure that the Government recognizes the benefits of
cooperation with associations and CSOs, so it is time to confirm the role of these
associations and CSOs. In addition, we need to organize more dialogues between
businesses and government;
- CED will continue communication work in phase 1 and will help other organizations to
connect with the network of reporters and journalists in forestry and FLEGT related
issues.
Afternoon session: Introduction of Toolkit on timber legality and general discussion on how
the project can leverage the use of the toolkit
Ms. Duong Thi Lien (the representative of the NEPCON project) introduced the Toolkit on
Timber legality and FLEGT-VPA:
- NEPCON implemented a training needs assessment with some associations and
businesses (Rubber associations), and conducted an assessment of the toolkit with
four large businesses with FSC certification. There were four-day or two-day training
courses depending on the size and needs of the businesses. NEPCON also coordinated
with Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) to conduct tests on 90 households. The
application extent depends on the specific scale of an enterprise, whether they are
large or small, and their value chains are long or short;
- National Risk Profile (2-3 pages per country): NEPCON has profiled only six countries
while FSC has profiled between 50-60 major timber exporting countries, so there
should be a solution in consulting with FSC;
- Because of an incomplete TLAS version, the current project only approaches version
6.3;
- Problem of recordkeeping for SMEs in Vietnam;

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- Ho Chi Minh City Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (HAWA) is setting up a
due diligence system (DDS).
3. Summary of discussions about the toolkits
- Some participants also commented on the adjustment of the web toolkit interface
that looks a bit confused and suggested using the drop-down menu to select the
country and links to missing FSC national profiles. Regarding Vietnam's domestic
timber, it is too long and confusing so needs summarizing (e.g. land use rights);
- SFMI is currently developing a set of tools (based on the reference of version 6.3 of
households TLAS) and integrating a standard set FSC-COC to meet the TLAS and Due
diligence, wood control. This is a very new idea in Vietnam, sponsored by FAO, to
support businesses to use controlled timber materials;
- NEPCON toolkit is various and appropriate with multiple objects. It is agreed that a
one-day training course is enough and convenient for businesses. We should produce
a guide for enterprises’ websites or a supporting center so they can train themselves;
- We should invite 2 groups who are responsible for business governance and
export/import in order to have a positive impact;
- Businesses are concerned about technical issues and the very specific details in
procedures (e.g. NEPCON toolkit);
- SMEs’ governance is rather weak; hence, they need to be supported. At the end of
October, we will adjust and make recommendations on an appropriate toolkit for
businesses and upload this on the website;
- There are three online videos, but they are too longhand require monotonous reading,
which makes them hard to follow. Video clips should be 3-6 minutes in length. Editing
these into a more concise format, or clips that explain business practices, will help
businesses self-contact and proactively ask questions and receive feedback.
Establishing an independent support Center where VIFORES will provide support
connecting associations and business members:
- We should set up a Support/Counseling Center for businesses (with both CSO and
business associations participation) to handle questions, queries and complaints in the
future to ensure that VPA is going to be implemented effectively. This entity will use
funding from external sources insteadof the statebudget. An independent monitoring
unit must have the consent of the associations and use independent funds; they could
be supported by international organizations such as FAO. This idea should be further
discussed given the fact that FLEGT licensing, verification and business classification
are currently designed to be in the hands of the government (Forest Protection
Department and/or VNFOREST’s affiliations);

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- The establishment of an independent support/counseling center mentioned above,
led by VIFORES is very feasible,according to VIFORES’ representative at the workshop.
However, there are difficulties in funding and human resources as well as capacity to
handle the queries, questions, complaints and concerns of the businesses. For
example, when businesses ask about FSC or FLEGT licensed by CITES, the association’s
consultants might not provide realistic and accurate answers. This should be further
discussed and developed;
- VCCI and business associations play a role in connecting businesses with government,
consulting and advising to the government, as well as consulting for businesses about
the government’s policies. After signing the VPA, it takes a long time to prepare and
there will be many changes to the legal framework and institutional reforms. These
business associations shouldcloselywork together to keep their members updated on
policy changes;
- It is important to strengthen coordination between the associations representing the
voices of timber enterprises (4,000 enterprises) and CSOs representing the
communities with forest-based livelihoods (more than 1 million households and
hundreds of thousands of small processing units);
- It is necessary to have a lead agency working separately from the licensing agency to
support businesses.However, according to the experience with other agreements that
Vietnam has signed with other countries, the consultation process usually only takes
place in the negotiation stage. Then government often uses or creates some affiliated
institutions with monitoring functions, which makes true independence challenging.
CSOs currently participate in the VPA process actively and the Government is willing
to provide information as well as cooperate with them, hence we should take
advantage of this opportunity;
- We should set up a diagram (matrix) for businesses to self-direct information and
support when looking for essential information. Timber Associations are the first
places for businesses to contact, playing a role as the respondents as well as providing
guidance. They should strengthen network cooperation and assess strengths and
weaknesses to support each other. CED will further explore on how to address this
issue though technology and communications;
- CITES is currently designed to be the place for both licensing and business inquiries
and complaints. It is necessary to have an independent organization/institution to
provide support and monitoring in the future to ensure effective implementation of
the VPA. However, the establishment of the independent supporting center for
enterprises has difficulties in funding, human resources and maintaining it over the
long-term. So CSOs and business associations should continue to work and discuss on
this issue/topic;

9. 9
- Some representatives from the government stated that they are ready to answer all
business inquiries,and can generallyrespond within half an hour. In terms of licensing,
the administration has responsibilities providing transparency across all related tasks
of the agency, questions and answers. The responsibility of an independent assessing
agency also includes both capacity assessment and deciding whether they can afford
support.
Implementation of Monitoring Role
- One organization could hardly implement monitoring without support from the
central agencies, for example, The Vietnam Union of Science and Technology
Associations (VUSTA) and the members of Vietnam Fatherland Front. To create a
monitoring role, there must be an alliance between CSOs, the timber associations and
VCCI to undertake monitoring;
- Supporting and licensing systems must be designed to restrict direct contact between
licensing officials and businesses in order to avoid harassment. The best option is an
online system for FLEGT licensing (learning from experience of C/O licensing or
electronic customs);
- Timber Associations should be closely linked to, and advocates of, an institutional
monitoring role by collecting comments from member businesses and sending them
to negotiators to represent the voice of the business community (based on points
discussed above).
The delegatesexpressedthe needtolearnand share experience withIndonesia.They put
forward some questions:
- CED also refers to sharing experiences with the Indonesian delegation, consisting of
government representatives, associations and NGOs from 17-18 October. Although
the two governments have different governance systems as well as production
operation characteristics in the private sector, there are still some experiences that
can be learned/shared;
- Why is it taking a long time to issue FLEGT licenses since signing with Indonesia? Are
enterprises interested in FLEGT - VPA? What are the advantages and disadvantages of
FLEGT? Is Indonesia having difficulties in the implementation process?
- The association should collect current recommendations and difficulties of businesses
exporting timber to the EU, then send these to CED for documentation and to prepare
participants in advance. When organizing a sharing workshop with Indonesia, CED
should consult with both sides and prepare documents to send to the interested
associations and businesses for their information before the exchange;
- The licensing process will not be simple. Ghana and Indonesia have signed up for a
long time but they have not issued FLEGT licenses yet. Indonesia expects to release its
first FLEGT license mid-November 2016.

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4. Conclusion
Conclusions based on the comments:
- Training activities will be implemented until October when more specificdetails about
the annexes are available. After that we will adjust and add more information for the
toolkit and consult with businesses;
- The NEPCON Toolkit continues to be adjusted and announced to stakeholders;
- Information from VNFOREST released in October is used to design the next project;
- It is expected that there willbe an experience exchange workshop with Indonesian GIZ
on 17-18 October 2016 (about 5-7 delegates, including representatives from
government agencies and Indonesian enterprises). CED will collect questions from
delegators and stakeholders and send these to Indonesia as well as prepare
documents to send to all participants before the workshop;
- After Indonesia releases the first FLEGT license, GIZ can support some representatives
from the Vietnamese associations or enterprises to visit and learn from their
experience directly;
- In order to support businesses better, CED will discuss with VCCI and associations to
make better recommendations. When the VPA is signed, there will be additional
resources to implement the ideas/proposals;
- Information and communication activities will continue after the VPA is signed and
CED will edit the information to be more accessible for businesses;
- CED has not developed the policy bulletin yet, but we have experience implementing
newsletters in project Disaster Risk Management (DRM). We will try our best to raise
funds and coordinate with partners to consider developing this idea after the VPA is
signed;
- We will update information, discussions and recommendations to VNFOREST and
other stakeholders that have not joined this workshop. This is a way to take advantage
of the current resources available. Other projects can also promote communication,
diffuse and raise awareness of stakeholders;
- In October 2016, CED will design a set of needs assessments based on the content of
the NEPCON toolkit and send these to the associations and businesses to collect
comments to help design training programs and training materials more practically
and appropriately.
5. An overall assessment of the workshop
Generally, the workshop was well rated in terms of logistics, discussion content with average
scores 4.2, 5/5. Participants also rated the documents and presentation with average scores
3.7/5. See Figure 1

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Figure 1: An overall assessment of the workshop
Appendix
Appendix 1: Workshop Agenda
Time Program Performer
07:30-08:00 Welcome Organizer
08:00-08:10 Opening Speech VCCI Da Nang Representatives

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08:10-08:30 Introduce the project, update the project
activities
Mr Vu Anh Minh, Deputy Director,
Center for Education and
Development
08:30-10:15 Divide into groups:
Discussing the project activities (including
the role of business associations and VCCI in
the licensing process, business support and
monitor implementation).
Associations and Representatives
from organizations
10:15-10:30 Break time
10:30-11:45 Discussion Presentation Group representatives
11:55-12:00 Closing Speech VCCI Representatives
12:00-13:30 Lunch
14:00-14:30 Presenting the Toolkit on the legality of the
timber and the training activities conducted
by representatives from the project's
NEPCON
Ms. Duong Thi Lien, NEPCON
Project
14:30-16:30 Discuss and finalize programs and
documentation of the toolkit on the legality
of timber for business training
Lecturers from Timber Association,
VCCI Da Nang and CED
16:30-17:00 Summing up the program and unifying
adjustments for the final document
Everyone
Appendix 2: Some photos

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Mr. Vu Anh Minh introduces the project
Ms. To Kim Lien, Director of Center for Education and Development

14. 14
Ms. Duong Thi Lien shares about the Toolkit
Mr. Nguyen Manh Dung (VIFORES)

15. 15
Mr. Dao Cong Khanh (SFMI), Mr. Nguyen Phuc (BIFA), Mr. Tran Nam Thang (CORENAM), Ms.
Vu Thi Bich Hop (SRD), Ms. Duong Thi Lien (NEPCON) (from right to left).