On the occasion, producers signed 43 contracts with supermarkets like Co-op Mart, Citimart, Maximark, and Big C.— File Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub)— The second "Connecting producers and distributors" conference for southern provinces scheduled to be held in HCM City early next month will bring together players in many consumer-goods industries.

HCM City, the regional distribution hub, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade seek to set up a co-operation mechanism among southern provinces to bolster the region's strength and reduce expenditure as part of efforts to mitigate the current economic difficulties.

Last year, 16 provincial Trade and Industry Departments and 200 companies, half of them based in the city, attended the first event. Then 33 kiosks were set up to showcase foods, fruits, vegetables, sweets, and candy among other goods.

On the occasion, producers signed 43 contracts with supermarkets like Co-op Mart, Citimart, Maximark, and Big C.

Following its success, this year even more favourable conditions will be created for firms to introduce their products to distributors.

The number of kiosks is expected to double, with HCM City firms getting 10 kiosks, northern firms and banks getting slightly fewer, and firms based in southern provinces the rest.

At a seminar, producers and distributors will swap information about quality for supermarkets, raw materials, and localities' specialties. Organisers expect over 200 participants.— VNS