The Eco-Products International Fair 2017 (EPIF) opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City on Thursday with the theme “Green Technologies and Products: Actions for the Future”.

The event is co-held by the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), the Viet Nam Environment Administration (VEA) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce (VCCI).

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Viet Thanh said "EPIF 2017 is an important event that reflects the direction of Viet Nam’s economic development."

"It also aims to raise public awareness of sustainable development through production and consumption of eco-friendly products, services and technologies," he noted.

As sustainable growth is a vital strategic direction for national development, the government’s policies and regulations have been improved to facilitate the private sector producing green products, according to the minister.

Local firms should shift their focus on developing eco-friendly products and services to meet the increasing demand of consumers and strict requirements of the global supply chain, he suggested.

VCCI vice president Hoang Quang Phong said the event would provide an opportunity for not only enterprises to show off their latest green products and services and seek partnership but also policymakers to identify needs and solutions for green growth in Viet Nam.

Hajime Bada, chairperson of the Japan-based Green Productivity Advisory Committee, described the fair as a bridge for firms to set up cooperation and transfer of green production and renewable energy technologies.

The EPIF was initiated by the APO in 2004 and is organised in rotation between APO members. Viet Nam is hosting the event, which runs until Saturday, for the second time. – VNS