The sixth VietWater 2014 Expo and Forum which opened today in HCM City. — Photo citinews

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Millions of US dollars in transactions are expected to take place during the sixth VietWater 2014 Expo and Forum which opened today in HCM City.

Speaking on opening day, M Gandhi, the managing director event organiser ASEAN Business (UBM ASIA), said this year's event was 25 per cent bigger in comparison with the latest edition, with the participation of 300 companies from 32 nations and territories worldwide.

"This is where we can address problems in a frank and open manner by assisting investors and entrepreneurs in the country's fledgling water industry," he said.

Launched six years ago, the event is the country's number-one international water supply, sanitation, industrial wastewater treatment and purification exhibition and forum.

During the three-day forum, participants will showcase the latest modern technologies and seek business opportunities in the Vietnamese market.

As one of the biggest delegations joining the event, Japan has brought 37 companies that will demonstrate their modern water-supply and wastewater treatment technology.

In an interview with Viet Nam News at the event, Toshihiro Mitshuhashi, director general of the Manufacturing and Environment Industry Department under the Japan External Trade Organisation, said nearly 2,400 meetings among Japanese and Vietnamese companies took place last year's event, with four of them successful and 76 others promising.

He expects the number of meetings and contracts to increase this year as Viet Nam is one of Japan's most important partners and many Japanese companies have projects in the country. .

France is one of 15 countries with a pavilion at VietWater 2014. With eight companies, the delegation is highlighting its technologies in soil and polluted-site decontamination and rehabilitation; biological treatment of organic waste; water and sanitation; and complete ductile cast-iron pipeline systems.

All of the French companies have operated in the country, and expect to have fruitful meetings.

Business matching, which will also occur at the French pavilion, is expected to lead to memorandums of understanding and letters of intent.

The French delegation hopes that Vietnamese companies and institutes will trust their suppliers, said Vincent Huynh, French commercial counselor in Viet Nam.

VietWater 24 will be open through tomorrow at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in District 7 in HCM City. Workshops will also be held tomorrow. — VNS