Investment opportunities in the food processing industry and technology transfer from foreign investors will be among the key topics to be discussed at a conference in HCM City on November 15.

According to the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, despite developing strongly in recent years the food processing industry has not met domestic demand, meaning a huge opportunity exists for investors.

Viet Nam is one of the world’s largest exporters of many kinds of farm produce, but it mainly exports raw products with low added value.

Therefore, attracting investors with modern processing technologies would be among the keys to developing the food processing industry, Vietrade said.

The Investment Promotion Conference on the Food Processing Industry, held by Vietrade, the Foreign Investment Agency and others, is among a series of activities by the Viet Nam International Food Industry Exhibition (Vietnam Foodexpo 2017) to be held in HCM City from November 15 to 18.

Vietnam Foodexpo, the country’s top trade promotion event for agricultural products, seafood and food, will have 600 booths set up by more than 450 exhibitors from 31 Vietnamese cities and provinces besides over 20 countries and territories.

On display will be fruits and vegetables, seafood, beverages, tea and coffee, food ingredients, processed foods, and food processing technologies and equipment.

With France being the Country of Honour, 33 French companies and industry groups will introduce some of their finest products and brands from the processed meat, dairy, farm produce and food processing machinery sectors.

Speaking at a press briefing in HCM City yesterday, Ta Hoang Linh, Vietrade deputy director, said the exhibition would contribute to the development of the food industry, promoting brands, products and services and enabling Vietnamese foods to expand market share in both domestic and export markets.

The exhibition would also serve as a catalyst for technological innovation, thereby increasing productivity, quality and safety, he said.

There would also be a Vietnam Food Forum, the Saigon International Cooking Contest and an exclusive area for large supermarket chains such as Hapromart, Lotte Mart and Big C to directly meet with local suppliers, he added. — VNS