Organised by the Viet Nam Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and C.I.S Viet Nam Company, the three-day first of its kind exhibition aims to provide feasible solutions to promote development of Viet Nam’s supporting industries. The exhibition has gained much attention from the Government, organisations, as well as local and foreign firms.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said: “During the industrialisation process, supporting industry and manufacturing have always been a focus of Viet Nam. In the country’s deep integration, opportunities from free trade agreements (FTAs) have brought a foundation and an important pre-condition for Viet Nam’s sustainable development and industrialisation.”

The event has seen participation of many important sectors with leading firms both inside and outside the country such as Samsung, Thaco, Toyota, ABB, An Phat Holdings.

This has been an opportunity for businesses to co-operate for joining in new supply chains. In addition, associations, organisations and agencies could have an insight in building policies to facilitate the businesses in the supporting industry and manufacturing.

Kyle Kelhofer, IFC Senior Country Manager, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos said: “Viet Nam’s manufacturing has been growing very fast, becomes one of the main contributors to Viet Nam’s GDP in recent decades and is the largest sector within Viet Nam’s economic structure. Manufacturing comprises the largest share of the country’s export (80 per cent share) and accounts for 20 per cent of GDP.”

“IFC is proud, together with tour development partners, Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and UK Prosperity Fund for accompanying Viet Nam’s supporting industry the last four years to help upgrade Viet Nam suppliers’ capacities so they can join and move up in the global value chains. The suppliers who participate in the Viet Nam Supplier Development Programme by the Industry Agency in partnership with IFC, Swiss SECO and UK Prosperity Fund are presented at this exhibition today to show the results and improvements under the pilot SDP.”

Ivo Sieber, Ambassador of Switzerland to Viet Nam, said with the signing of trade agreements, Vietnamese businesses have many opportunities to access and participate in the global supply chain. However, many domestic enterprises do not fully meet standards set by international companies, especially quality and sustainability.

Switzerland can support and commit a strong partnership with Viet Nam in capacity building for Vietnamese businesses, improving product quality for better integration into the global value chain, he said.

The event is expected to attract some 15,000 visitors. The ministry would also organise two conferences on Viet Nam’s supporting industry - potential and opportunity and opportunity and challenges when joining the global supply chain. — VNS