As the world's largest private furniture retailer, in recent years, how has IKEA used raw materials from Vietnam? What do you think about furniture products originating from Vietnam?

We have been present in Vietnam through purchasing and supply activities since 1993 and have continuously expanded cooperation with various domestic supply partners over the past time. Globally, we continually strive to work with our suppliers to create the safest and highest quality products for consumers, regardless of where they are manufactured. Therefore, IKEA's suppliers in Vietnam share the same vision, culture and values in creating home furniture products designed with good quality, convenience, and reasonable prices. reasonable and highly sustainable.

Vietnam possesses growing production capacity and policies that create favorable conditions for import and export activities. Along with many advantages in the field of logistics, Vietnam has become an important link in our global supply chain.

What are IKEA's supplier selection criteria? To become a partner of IKEA in particular and furniture retailers in Sweden in general, what criteria must Vietnamese businesses meet?

For IKEA, our supplier partners and service providers play a key role in creating a better everyday life for many people. Together, we explore new ways to operate and grow socially and environmentally responsible businesses, addressing challenges and collaborating to create positive change. . We select suppliers who share our values and ambition to make a positive impact for humanity and the planet.

Therefore, we have developed the IWAY standard - Code of Conduct for Responsible Purchasing and Sourcing - which is a core premise in business operations for IKEA's suppliers. IWAY is how IKEA and its suppliers ensure responsible sourcing of products, services, materials and components, by defining clear expectations and ways of working for suppliers, ensuring business activities are always for the environment, society, working conditions of workers and animal welfare. Implementing IWAY standards is also a prerequisite and mandatory for all supplier partners and service providers when working with IKEA. The IWAY Code seeks to bring meaningful employment value to all workers and contribute to positive change in local communities throughout IKEA's global value chain.

Currently, Vietnam is emerging as one of the largest wooden furniture export markets in the world. What are your expectations about finding and importing goods from Vietnam when participating in Viet Nam International Sourcing 2023?

Vietnam is an important wood supply market for IKEA's suppliers. This place supplies a large amount of Acacia wood - a dark wood source certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), suitable for our outdoor furniture products.

In the near future, we will research and purchase rubber wood with many applications in furniture production. For decades, we have worked with diverse partners in Vietnam to improve sustainable forest management. Regardless of where our suppliers source their wood, to minimize the risk of wood not meeting supply chain requirements, including regulatory requirements, we require our partners to only supply and Using FSC-certified wood materials.

We hope that through this series of events, we can focus on building and sharing knowledge to improve wood sourcing activities in parallel with sustainable forest management, thereby improve livelihoods and strengthen the ability to respond to climate change, in order to be ready to receive any changes in supply conditions from different markets around the world.

Participating in Vietnam International Sourcing 2023, IKEA also wishes to share our progress in building a sustainable supply chain according to the sustainable development strategy "Positive benefits for humanity and the planet" (Positive benefits for humanity and the planet) ( People & Planet Positive Strategy), covering all activities in IKEA's value chain globally. Furthermore, we wish to update information and experiences from participating businesses and contribute to sharing to promote the role of Vietnam - a supply location with significant production potential. competitive.

EVFTA has been bringing great opportunities for Vietnamese goods in Sweden in general and Europe in particular. What advice do you have for Vietnamese businesses to effectively take advantage of this agreement and bring goods deeper into the Swedish and European markets?

The EVFTA Agreement is an important tool in promoting Vietnam's production and export capabilities. Manufacturers should focus on maintaining high standards and product quality and researching consumer trends and global customer preferences to take advantage of their existing advantages. In addition, businesses should build a strong distribution network and focus on developing sustainable business activities to take full advantage of the opportunities that the Agreement brings.

Thank you Sir!

Mr. Giafar Safaverdi - Director of Southeast Asia Supply - IKEA Group

Starting from a wooden souvenir shop founded in 1943, IKEA has now become the world's leading furniture brand with revenue of over 40 billion USD since 2019, welcoming 1 billion visitors to the store. per year and is present in more than 50 markets. In addition to Sweden and the Nordic region - where IKEA originated, the group's furniture market focuses primarily on the US, UK, Germany, the Netherlands...

Minh Toan