Visitors at the international exhibition on livestock, dairy, meat-processing and aquaculture, or ILDEX Vietnam 2014, that opens on March 19 in HCM City. — VNS Photo Xuan Huong

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — An international exhibition on livestock, dairy, meat-processing and aquaculture, ILDEX Vietnam 2014, opened on March 19 at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Center in District 7.

The biennial event, which runs until March 21, has attracted 180 exhibitors from 25 countries and territories, including France, Korea, the Netherlands, China, and Indonesia.

Products on display include new machinery, technologies and business solutions for livestock breeding and dairy industries.

The expo also includes conferences and seminars to discuss animal-husbandry and aquaculture issues, as well as calling for investment in the livestock industry.

Hoang Thanh Van, director general of the Livestock Production Department, said the livestock industry has grown rapidly in the past and played an important role in the country's agricultural development.

To maintain this growth and improve the industry's competitiveness, the country needs to invest more in advanced farming and processing technologies, he said.

Under the theme "Bringing International Expertise to Satisfy Local Needs", the event will offer visitors opportunities to evaluate innovative solutions that can help them improve cost efficiency and product quality, he said.

Co-organised by the Department of Livestock Production, VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd and Minh Vi Exhibition and Advertising Services, the event is expected to receive more than 15,000 visitors. — VNS