Vientiane (VNA) – The Vietnam-Laos Trade Fair 2016 kicked off in Vientiane, Laos, on July 7, attracting the participation of over 200 enterprises with 400 booths.
In 120 booths, 98 Vietnamese businesses bring to the fair their outstanding products, ranging from pharmaceutical products and medical equipment, industrial machines and construction materials, garment and textiles, to agro-fishery-forestry products.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Cam Tu said that the event aims to realise the Vietnamese Government’s international economic integration commitments, boost Vietnam’s exports to Laos and Northeastern Thailand, introduce its business and investment environment and seek more investment opportunities in Laos.
According to him, the two countries’ economic relationship is thriving, with average growth of 20 percent per year in the past five years.
Lao Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Somchith Inthamith showed his belief that the success of the fair will help tighten cooperation between the two countries’ enterprises, thus contributing to increasing their two-way trade.
Vietnam and Laos look to a trade value of 3 billion USD by 2020.
The fair will remain open to visitors until July 11.-VNA