The ASEAN Caravan, a business matching event hosted by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on November 27 with over 30 Japanese small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) coming to introduce their products and services.

Launched by JETRO in 2012, this is the first time the even has been held in Vietnam. Participating Japanese companies this time mostly operate in home appliances, wooden furniture, cosmetics and fashion.

ASEAN Caravan aims to assist Japanese SMEs in expanding their market in Southeast Asia via business matching, presentations at trade fairs and promotion via the Internet.

In 2012, the event was held in Kuala Lumpur in July and Bangkok in October.

Last year, it came to Singapore in September, Bangkok in October, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta in November.

Earlier this year, the ASEAN Caravan on construction materials took place in Singapore in September, and a similar event on consumer goods and groceries was held in Bangkok in October.-VNA