HA NOI (VNS) — About 400 businesses from 17 countries and territories are attending the 23rd Viet Nam International Trade Fair (VietnamExpo 2013) that got underway in Ha Noi yesterday.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said that the annual event was a chance for domestic and foreign businesses to meet and seek cooperative partnerships as well as introduce their products to others.

Anh affirmed that with the theme "Viet Nam: Cooperation for Development," the four-day fair will act a bridge to boost trade promotion and increase exports, contributing positively to Viet Nam's international economic integration.

At the event, Sun Seogki, Director General of the Korean Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra), said that the Republic of Korea's Government considers Viet Nam as a potential market and partner for long-term cooperation.

This is the 15th time RoK has participated in the fair, with 64 businesses from the country attending this year, he revealed.

He said that trade links will help RoK businesses increase exports to and cooperation with Viet Nam to build manufacturing plants in the country. — VNS