Nearly 500 businesses from home and abroad are expected to get together at the 13th Vietnam-China International Trade Fair, which will open in Lao Cai city on January 13.

The event aims to develop economic cooperation between the northern province of Lao Cai and China’s western provinces, said Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency Do Thang Hai, at a press briefing in Hanoi on October 18.

It will also help participants seek partners and expand their market, benefiting Vietnam-China border trade relations, Hai added.

The fair will house 700 pavilions, including 250 from foreign businesses and localities, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Duong revealed.

The stalls will showcase a wide range of products such as handicrafts, machines, electric and electronics appliances, seafood, and tourism services along the Kunming-Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh economic corridor.

A number of seminars will be hosted on the sidelines of the event for businesspeople from both sides to meet and exchange with each other.

Organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Lao Cai provincial People’s Committee, the event will run until January 18 as part of the 2013 national commercial promotion programme.-VNA