Participants are exhibiting their wares in 250 booths at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. — Photo dbv

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The annual Viet Nam Int'l Retail and Franchise Show 2013 opened yesterday in HCM City, attracting 150 companies from 10 countries.

Participants are exhibiting their wares in 250 booths at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center.

Among the countries represented are Australia, the UK, the US, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea. The firms are involved in a wide range of industries including food and beverages, fast food, cosmetics, healthcare services, garments, footwear, insurance, property and financial con-sultancy services.

"Franchise is an advanced and effective business model that helps reduce risks. It is popular the world over, but still rather new in Viet Nam," said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ho Thi Kim Thoa at the opening session.

She said the country has now 105 foreign companies that have registered their franchises here, including convenience shops Circle K from Hong Kong and Family Mart from Japan; and fast food chains KFC, Lotteria and Jollibee.

The fair is organised by Vinexad (Viet Nam Exhibition and Advertising Company) and three South Korean partners.

The fair will include seminars on the Vietnamese retail market, procedures for franchising in Viet Nam, how to expand brands in Asian countries and the local real estate market.

It will run until Satuday at 799 Nguyen Van Linh in District 7. — VNS