Virtual exhibitions for the manufacturing, metalworking and supporting industries, the 2020 METALEX Vietnam - Supporting Industry Show, that opened on Friday promise to serve as an effective networking platform for local and international companies.

Hirai Shinji, chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organization, HCM City office, said at the opening: “The necessity to establish a sustainable and reliable supply system though diversification of the production base has been recognised among Japanese companies after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic in particular.

“In order for Viet Nam to maintain its position as one of the most attractive destinations for Japanese manufacturing companies, developing industrial clusters through enhancing business networks between Japanese and local companies is necessary.”

Vu Trong Tai, general manager of Reed Tradex Vietnam, the organizer of METALEX Vietnam, said: “The virtual METALEX Vietnam - Supporting Industry Exhibition will arm industrialists with brand-new technologies to improve the efficiency and quality of their manufacturing process and serve as an effective business matchmaking platform. I believe we can create growth drivers in the manufacturing, metalworking and supporting industries.”

Shinji said: “JETRO in HCM City plans to hold various events to facilitate business relationships between Japanese and Vietnamese companies. One of the main events is the Supporting Industry Show 2020.

“We strongly hope that our event will foster successful business matches between Japanese and Vietnamese companies, contributing to the development of supporting industries in Viet Nam.”

Le Nguyen Duy Oanh, deputy director of the HCM City Centre for Supporting Industries Development, said the centre and the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City selected 30 Vietnamese supporting industry firms to meet with Japanese firms at the exhibition.

“The event offers a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese firms to connect with Japanese enterprises.”

There are more than 100 exhibitors from Japan, South Korea and countries from many other parts of the world participating in this year METALEX Vietnam.

The exhibition will also feature a webinar on ‘Welding industry amid integration’ hosted by Reed Tradex and the Viet Nam Welding Society, and another introducing ‘IRONCAD: The easiest and fastest way to 3D design’ hosted by CreativeMachine, Japan.

The exhibition, which closes today (October 24), expects to get 5,000 online visitors. — VNS