A trade fair to boost ties between Vietnam and Cambodia got underway in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh on September 21.

Themed ‘Friendship, Cooperation and Development’, the 2012 Vietnam-Cambodia International Trade Fair is co-organised by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The six-day event features more than 160 businesses. On display at the 300 pavilions are processed foods, beverages, construction materials, interior decorations, leather products, school accessories, jewellery and electronic equipment.

Visitors also have a chance to view a photographic exhibition depicting the cooperative ties between both peoples and armies, trade promotions and free heath check-ups for Cambodian soldiers and residents.

Addressing the event, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce Mao Thora praised the trade fair as helping facilitate trade exchanges between both countries.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Cambodia in 2011 saw a year-on-year increase of 53 percent to just over 2.83 billion USD.-VNA