VRA has been operating since the end of 2004. In 2018, VRA has 125 members who are state-owned, private, joint stock, joint venture, foreign capital companies, comprising of producers, processors, manufacturers, traders, exporters, importers and organizations of finance, research, training, supporting and services related to the Viet Nam rubber industry.
VRA is currently the member of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the International Rubber Association (IRA), the ASEAN Rubber Business Council (ARBC), the Panel of Associates of the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) and the collaborator of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC).
In 2006, VRA established the Vietnam Rubber Export Insurance Fund (Fund). The Fund would be a timely financial support to reduce risks in rubber production and export activities of its members; promote trade promotion programs for VRA’s members and VRA’s development activities. Members who voluntarily participate in the Fund contribute up to 1% of their natural rubber export turnover to this Fund.
Since 2015, VRA has implemented the project of building and developing the Viet Nam rubber industry brand based on the legal basis of the Certification Mark “Cao su Việt Nam / Viet Nam Rubber”. VRA has successfully registered intellectual property protection of this Certification Mark in Viet Nam and some target markets. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, VRA has granted the right to use the Certification Mark to 13 members with 62 products from 24 factories that meet VRA’s criteria.
In 2018, VRA has put forward an action plan for sustainable natural rubber industry and undertaken some initial steps. Particularly, VRA together with the Viet Nam Rubber Group (VRG) has cooperated with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Viet Nam to develop and disseminate the Handbook “Guideline for sustainable management of rubber plantations in accordance with international forest certification standards”. Simultaneously, VRA, VRG and Rubber Research Institute of Vietnam cooperate with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Viet Nam to develop the Handbook “Technical guideline for sustainable natural rubber production”. Besides, VRA and VRG are cooperating with a number of NGOs such as PanNature, Oxfam Vietnam, and UNDP to develop the guideline on reduction of environmental and social risks in agricultural investment abroad. VRA has contributed some recommendations to ANRPC on developing and implementing an action plan for sustainable natural rubber industry to its member countries from 2019.
VRA’s main activities:
- Assisting members in producing, manufacturing, trade promotion and business matching, investment calling, access to updated information, especially on market information, business opportunities, organizing and participating in conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions, study tours, brand building, market research, training, etc.
- Coordinating members, enterprises with governmental institutions and relevant organizations to propose and implement activities to support the sustainability of rubber industry, to support members and enterprises in applying advanced management practices, production and business activities in accordance with national laws, international practices and international treaties and agreements which Viet Nam has signed, in applying industry 4.0, in effectively utilizing the preferential tariffs in free trade agreements and nominating member companies to receive the title of reward for product quality, business credibility, etc.
- Proposing measures for management and improvement the quality of Viet Nam’s natural rubber based on the current legal framework and new requirements of the market; coordinating with relevant agencies to propose national regulations and standards, from raw materials to processed natural rubber, as a legal framework for quality control.
- Building and developing the Viet Nam rubber industry brand through using the Certification Mark “Cao su Việt Nam / Viet Nam Rubber” with the criteria meeting appropriate international certification systems.
- Strengthening the cooperation with international rubber organizations and rubber consuming countries as well as producing countries in order to exchange information, contribute ideas on sustainable natural rubber development, find solutions to balance supply and demand as a fundamental to stabilizing prices and diversifying income sources and to ensure biodiversity to reduce risks for rubber growers; Participating in international conferences and seminars to approach new market trends and introduce the achievements of the Viet Nam rubber industry.
- Continuing to develop the Vietnam Rubber Export Insurance Fund to perform effectively the function and task of financial support.
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