Around 400 businesses from 17 countries and territories are attending the 23rd Vietnam International Trade Fair (Vietnam Expo 2013) that got underway in Hanoi on April 10.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said that the annual event is a chance for domestic and foreign businesses to meet and seek cooperative partnerships as well as introduce their products to others.

Anh affirmed that with the theme “Vietnam: Cooperation for Development”, the four-day fair will act a bridge to boost trade promotion and increase exports, contributing positively to Vietnam’s international economic integration.

At the event, Sun Seogki, Director General of the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra), said that the Republic of Korea’s Government considers Vietnam as a potential market and partner for long-term cooperation, adding that this is the 15th time RoK has participated in the fair, with 64 businesses from the country attending this year.

He said that trade links will help RoK businesses increase exports to and cooperation with Vietnam to build manufacturing plants in the country.

Within the framework of Vietnam Expo 2013, the Trade Promotion Agency will hold a forum on April 11, with the aim to boost exports.

At the forum, local and international experts will analyse export opportunities brought by free trade agreements (FTA), especially the Vietnam-EU FTA.-VNA