The first Vietnam International Food Industry Exhibition (Vietnam Foodexpo 2015) opened in Ho Chi Minh City on May 13, expected to become an effective support channel to advertise Vietnamese products and services.

The expo features around 500 booths of more than 300 companies from 36 Vietnamese localities and 19 other countries and territories.

Themed “At the heart of Asia’s food aspiration”, it popularises trademarks, products, and services related to farm produce, material and processed seafood, and beverages.

Also on display is cutting-edge machinery aiming to improve productivity, quality, and labour safety in the industry.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said Vietnam’s food industry holds vast development potential and comprises a considerable proportion of the overall industrial output and gross domestic product.

Vietnam Foodexpo 2015, part of the National Trade Promotion Programme, was organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, relevant agencies, and local authorities to assist the sector’s market expansion effort.

Tran Kim Oanh, Director of the ministry’s Industry and Trade Investment Promotion Centre, said the centre’s booth will conduct activities to introduce the local investment climate and encourage foreign companies to join the production and supply chains of Vietnam’s food industry.

An international cooking contest will also be held during Vietnam Foodexpo 2015, which will last until May 16.-VNA