Three international exhibitions — Paper Vietnam, Rubber and Tyre Vietnam, and Coatings Expo Vietnam — opened in HCM City on Wednesday.

They are showcasing a wide range of machinery and equipment and products used in the paper and pulp, rubber and tyre, and coating, dyeing, and inking industries.

They have attracted 250 companies from 15 countries and territories, including India, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, the US, Germany, the UK, Malaysia, and Viet Nam.

There will be several seminars on their sidelines, a business matching programme to help exhibitors and visitors learn about the latest trends and market demands, find business opportunities and more.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, K Srikar Reddy, the Indian consul general in the city, said 50 Indian companies are exhibiting their products at the expos.

They include 42 at Coating Vietnam, where an India Pavilion has been set up by the Basic Chemicals, Cosmetics and Dyes Export Council (CHEMEXIL) of India.

“The three trade fairs provide an excellent opportunity for the Indian exhibitors to showcase their products and build bridges with their Vietnamese partners in order to establish a long-term beneficial business relationship.”

Vo Hoang An, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Rubber Association, said amid deeper integration and increasing competition, the association and businesses have enhanced trade promotion.

Trade fairs and exhibitions are an effective forum for Vietnamese firms to introduce their new products and technologies and brands to local and international customers, he said.

Organised by the Minh Vi Exhibition and Advertisement Services Co, Ltd, and CNCIC China, Paper Vietnam, Rubber and Tyre Vietnam and Coatings Expo Vietnam, being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre until June 15, are expected to welcome 7,000 trade visitors.

Viet Nam, India chemical sector eyes closer ties

On the same day, the Indian consulate organised a B2B meeting between Indian exhibitors at the three expo and Vietnamese companies.

According to the General Statistics Office, Viet Nam imported chemicals and chemical products worth US$8.63 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of 23 per cent, including $206 million from India.

Its exports grew by over 26 per cent to $2.15 billion, with exports to India being worth $299 million.

Indian consul general K Srikar Reddy said there had been an impressive growth in bilateral trade in the area of chemicals and chemical products between both countries during the year 2017.

"However, there is great potential for bilateral co-operation as consumption of chemicals and chemical products has increased considerably in Viet Nam in recent times and a significant portion of the total consumption is met by imports,” he said.

India is the sixth largest producer of chemicals globally and ranks third globally in the production of agro-chemicals, he added. — VNS