In recent years, the trade promotion and investment promotion activities of Ho Chi Minh City made significant contributions to capital attraction as well as goods and service exports to other countries. Most enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City highly appreciate the efficiency of trade promotion programmes in Vietnam as well as in other countries. Thus, Ho Chi Minh City continues expanding promotion programmes in a more professional way and on larger scale.
Ms Tran Duc Hanh, director of Ho Chi Minh City Trade and Investment Promotion Commission of the Department of Trade, said a business delegation from the city has headed to join a wood furniture exposition in Las Vegas, United States to showcase the best wood products to the world. This trade fair has wide influence on the global wood product consumption market, from furniture to handicraft.
On this occasion, Ho Chi Minh City authorities will send letters to more than 3,000 importers across the world, inviting them to showcase their products at Export Wood Expo 2007 (Expo 2007) in Ho Chi Minh City. Expo 2007 received the special concern of many Vietnamese woodwork export processing companies and international firms, because they all know this is a very professional trade fair.
This year, EXPO 2007 organisers expanded the display area to Tan Binh Sports Centre to add 200 more booths, bringing the total to 730. However, applications have already exceeded 1,000. As a result, the organising board had to refuse about 300 applications. EXPO 2007 will host three important seminars that may affect the development of the wood industry. The seminars include discussions on logistics services for export, stateside wood and fine art crafts issues, and material supply for wood production and handicraft.
In addition, from now to this year’s end, Ho Chi Minh City plans to open several other trade fairs, including Cho Lon 2007 to be held from November 9 to 11 in Phu Tho sports stadium by Cho Lon Economic Development Centre under the umbrella of Department of Trade and Chinese People Working Group of the city. Cho Lon 2007 will showcase the best local commodities and trademarks as well as highlight the achievements and development directions of participants.
Mr Nguyen Van Hung, Deputy Director of Investment and Planning Department said the city will actively apply several innovations to trade, investment and tourism promotion activities in the coming time. Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City will shift to selectively inviting investors, preferably those with high-tech and products matching municipal development orientations. Thus, enterprises and business associations should mobilise comprehensive forces for trade promotion activities in target markets. Trade and investment promotion activities in other countries must have specific, focal, clear and persuasive steps, projects and contents.
Regarding trade promotion activities, the city will focus on key regions and markets to boost exports. These activities will increase exports of software, wood products, handicrafts, processed food, seafood, apparel and footwear. Major markets are the US, the EU, China, Japan and ASEAN countries.
The city also targets new markets such as Eastern Europe, Myanmar, the Middle East and South America, as well as neighbouring markets of Laos, Cambodia, and China. In addition, trade promotion will call investment for domestic distribution network expansion, call for more foreign investment in high tech and value added industries, services, tourism, finance, infrastructure, human resource training and healthcare. Major sources are Japan, South Korea, the EU, North America, China and ASEAN countries and potentially South America and South Africa.
Thuy Tien
Vietnamese
