A number of foreign business organisations and associations took part in a trade and investment promotion conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on March. 29 to seek partners and opportunities in Vietnam .

The businesses come from such countries and territories as Thailand , Canada , Germany , Indonesia , Malaysia , Singapore and Hong Kong ( China ).

The annual event this year focused on the city’s economic restructuring in 2012, the development of industrial clusters, mechanism and policies to attract investors in the high-tech industry, monetary policy and solutions to support businesses.

Vietnam ’s consumption market in 2012 is forecast to develop faster than that of regional countries such as Thailand , the Philippines and Malaysia and thus remaining attractive to foreign investors, the seminar was heard.

Experts said the country’s retail market is forecast to keep its high growth rate of about 23 percent during the 2012-2014 period with one of the best profitability in the world.

Domestic businesses took the occasion to display their products.

The annual event was coorganised by the Ho Chi Minh City Businesses’ Association, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the HCM City Department of Planning and Investment./.