Vietnam Expo 2015 opens in Ha Noi

Delegates cut the ribbon to kick off the Vietnam Expo 2015. Photo baomoi.com

Participants include more than 600 exhibitors from 28 countries and territories, including China, the US, the Czech Republic, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia and Russia.

Nearly half of the 750 booths have been set up by local firms, including the Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro) and the Vietnam Electrical Equipment Joint Stock Corporation (GELEX).

Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Do Thang Hai gives a speech at the expo's opening ceremony. Photo baomoi.com

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Do Thang Hai said the event aimed to create opportunities for businesses to form partnerships with both domestic and international enterprises to improve export growth and attract foreign investment.

Themed "Cooperation towards the ASEAN Economic Community", the event contributed to export growth among domestic businesses to markets in the region and around the world, according to Bui Huy Son, director of the Ministry's Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETTRADE).

Vietnam Expo 2015 presented opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to tap the potential of free trade agreements (FTA) to be signed this year, Son said.

It also served as a bridge to connect producers with investors, boosting trade exchange and accelerating deals and exports, Son added.

Lee Daehyun, director of Korea's Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP), said in the future, his institute wanted to form closer relations to support Viet Nam. The institute hoped to participate at more expos and other trade events.

"Participation in this event gives the possibility of presenting the Czech Republic as strong and reliable business partner with high quality and innovative products," said Radomil Dolezal, CzechTrade General Director.

"We return to this fair regularly to introduce the best Czech producers to the Vietnamese market and establish new bilateral relationships. I hope that Czech companies will find new local producers and distributers here, and we are going to support this international cooperation now we have opened an office in HCM City."

The event, hosted by VIETTRADE, the Vinexad Advertising Joint Stock Company and Informa Exhibitions, will run through April 18.