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| Tran Vinh Nhung (standing), deputy director of the HCMC Department of Industry and Trade, fields questions from the press regarding HCMC Expo 2010 - Photo by Thai Hang |
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Tran Vinh Nhung, deputy director of the city’s Department of Industry and Trade as the organizer, told a press conference on Tuesday that the city expected a greater outcome of Expo 2010 given far-reaching preparations for the show.
The expo, scheduled for October 6 to 10 at the Tan Binh International Exhibition and Convention Center in Tan Binh District, will feature 300 wood and handicraft exhibitors.
Alongside trade activities at the fairground, an Online Expo will also be featured, introducing local business profiles to international customers. Nhung of the department said 800 wood and handicraft makers have put their names down for “manning their online selling booths” on the website www.hcmcexpo.com.vn, an increase of 21% compared to same event last year.
As the global demand for furniture and handicraft products this year is on the path to recovery, Nhung expected the number of international visitors to the fair would rise sharply, resulting in better business prospects for the country’s woodworking industry. The expo outcome is to be further underpinned by aggressive marketing activities, Nhung said, adding “invitation letters have been sent to European and Asian countries and the U.S.”
Bui Thi Thanh An, representative of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, told the press conference that a trade support program this year would assist exhibitors with the cost of inviting promising customers to the fair.
An said her agency had brought Expo 2010 on promotion trips to international fairs in China’s Guangzhou and Las Vegas of the U.S. where invitations have been sent to importers and retailers there. Furthermore, Expo 2010 has also been featured on furniture magazines such as Cens Furniture of China, South East Asia Furniture Manufacturers and Exporters Directory 2010, and Furniture Singapore, she said, explaining that the annual furniture expo of HCMC has now been recognized as an event of national significance.
“HCMC Expo has been part of the nation’s promotion programs since 2003 and it has contributed to the growth of wood and handicraft exports, which were only US$1.5 billion in 2005, US$2.6 billion in the time of recession, but expected to hit US$4.5 billion this year,” An said.
