Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2011), due to open in Hanoi on April 6, will promote both major hard currency earners and policy in favour of exports and foreign direct investment (FDI).

Displays at 850 pavilions will range from farm, forest and aquatic products to fine art articles, apparels, footwear, machinery, construction materials, electricity and trade services.

A forum on export promotion will be also held, along with a workshop on foreign investment policy, to focus on FDI attraction and investment structure in order to help local administrators and investors find effective and suitable solutions.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien said the event will provide Vietnamese enterprises with opportunities to promote exports, establish partnerships, expand market share and develop domestic trade and transfer of technology.

The four-day exposition, themed “ Vietnam -- integration and development”, will also draw foreign enterprises from 19 countries and territories. They are India , Cambodia , Cuba , Taiwan , the Republic of Korea , Hong Kong , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , the US , Russia , Japan , the Czech Republic , Singapore , Slovakia , Thailand , China and United Arab Emirates .

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has described the annual event as a bridge connecting economic and trade institutions of Vietnam with the international community. The ministry also evaluated it as a reliable venue over the past two decades for enterprises and investors, both domestic and foreign, to establish long term business.

The event last year witnessed the signing of some 600 contracts on exports and investment./.