NEPCON Vietnam 2019 - great chance for SMEs to join global supply chains

Discussion at a store in NEPCON Vietnam 2019

NEPCON Vietnam 2019 is Vietnam’s only exhibition on SMT, testing technologies, equipment and supporting industries for electronics manufacturing organised by Reed Tradex, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Vietnam Industry Agency (VIA), the Vietnam Electronic Industries Association (VEIA) and Project LinkSMEs (USAID).

During the three days, the exhibition offers many conferences, forums and activities for Vietnam business, especially small- and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) to connect and share information, update knowledge about the opportunities for joining global supply chains.

“NEPCON Vietnam has become one of the leading events in the electronics industry - an unforgettable event for thousands of investors who want to expand their business in Vietnam. It is our pleasure to bring opportunities for business to meet and support Vietnamese businesses, especially SMEs to participate in the global supply chains,” said Vu Trong Tai, general manager of Reed Tradex Vietnam.

The sharing session on connecting Vietnamese SMEs to global electronics value chains by USAID at NEPCON Vietnam 2019

Over the years, SMEs have accounted for around 98 per cent of the total enterprises in Vietnam and ASEAN countries, played an important role in the economy. To support SMEs, in 2018, USAID decided to implement the LinkSMEs project for six year to 2023 with the total budget of $22.1 billion. The project is expected to catalyse systemic changes in business relationships and significantly increase the quantity and quality of linkages between Vietnamese enterprises and global value chains.

“Vietnamese businesses, especially SMEs, have great potential and need support to access information and investment resources to have more advantages in competing with both domestic and foreign competitors. We hope to bring useful information to help Vietnamese electronics businesses to participate in global value chains within the electronics sector,” said Ron Ashkin, project director of USAID LinkSME.

In the framework of NEPCON Vietnam 2019, USAID Linkages has held the sharing session “How to Connect Vietnamese SMEs to the Global Electronics Value Chain”, attracting nearly 100 participants. The session has pointed out challenges for Vietnamese SMEs as well as solutions for their development in the process of the world integration.

IPC Hand Soldering Competition at NECPCON Vietnam 2019

Not only exhibiting advanced electronic technologies in the region and around the world, NEPCON Vietnam 2019 also provides opportunities for businesses to build effective connections via "Business match-making” services supported by Reed Tradex.

In addition, during the exhibition, the "IPC Hand Soldering Competition 2019" is held to find out the best skilled person and encourage manufacturers to develop skills for staff to meet the standards of the global electronics industry.