Last year 14 provinces and 200 companies attended the first event and signed 43 contracts with supermarkets like Co-opmart, Citimart, Maximark and Big C.— VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub)— More than 300 enterprises, co-operatives, and craft villages in HCM City and 20 southern provinces met with large city-based distributors at a conference and exhibition yesterday to exchange information and establish links.

Organised by the Department of Industry and Trade of HCM City and the 20 provinces and cities, "Connecting producers and distributors" aimed at helping enterprises, co-operatives, and craft villages bring their products into the city's distribution system, Le Ngoc Dao, its deputy director, said.

She said last year 14 provinces and 200 companies attended the first event and signed 43 contracts with supermarkets like Co-opmart, Citimart, Maximark and Big C.

Following its success, the event this year features 70 booths, double last year's number.

The products on display include farm produce, foodstuff, processed foods, confectionery, beverages, and local specialities, she said.

"The event also attracted wholesale markets, restaurants, hotels, and eateries from the city and northern provinces," she said.

Producers and distributors compared notes about quality requirements, raw materials, and localities' specialities.

Chau Minh Nguyen, deputy director of the Dong Nai Province Department of Industry and Trade, said the province has strength in cattle and poultry farming and consumed only 20-30 per cent of its output, with the rest being mainly sold to HCM City.

Nguyen said "the province wants to continue its co-operation with the city's distributors, hotels, and restaurants to help its co-operatives and producers have stable outlets."

Long An Province sought to promote its specialities like Huyet Rong rice, Thuan Binh seedless lemon, Vinh Huong fish sauce, and Go Den wine to HCM City establishments.

Le Truong An, owner of a company processing and selling edible lotus seeds in Dong Thap Province, was making a pitch for his products.

Bui Hanh Thu, deputy general director of Saigon Co.op, said with consumers raising the bar for hygiene and food safety standards, producers should ensure their products meet those quality standards and their products have clear origins. Producers should improve packaging, she said. — VNS