Laos prepares for China-Asean Expo
Laos prepares for China-Asean Expo
Laos has finished initial preparations for participation in the 10th China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, Guangxi, China, from September 23 to 26, according to a senior official from the Trade and Product Promotion Department.
Department Director General Mr Somvang Ninthavong, of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, reported on the progress of preparations at a recent CAEXPO Secretariat and sub-committee level meeting. He said the department, on behalf of the CAEXPO Secretariat, had appointed an overall supervisory committee, a secretariat and a sub-committee.
The department received approval from the government last March to use Vientiane to represent the charm of Laos as a backdrop for the display at the expo.
He said the CAEXPO Secretariat partnered with the Vientiane authorities and the Bluegrass Group to design a booth to exhibit Lao products at the expo, while the secretariat also joined with other sectors to hold meetings to discuss preparations for attending the event.
At these meetings the design of the national exhibition booth was developed, together with plans for making a short film and printing brochures. Preparations on investment information in special and specific economic zones in Laos and raising funds from the business sector to build the national exhibition booth were also discussed.
The CAEXPO Secretariat, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the finance sub-committee held a meeting to discuss preparations for the business sector to participate in the expo and the allocation of responsibility to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation.
The secretariat has prepared advertising materials to disseminate information, issue forms, define regulations and state conditions for participants, to encourage business units to take part in the expo. They also coordinated with logistics companies to ensure safe and reliable transport of goods and materials to the expo, to avoid problems that have occurred in the past.
Mr Somvang said that before the next meeting the CAEXPO Secretariat will have closely coordinated with the Ministry of Finance to allocate a budget to fund the preparations and Laos' participation in the event, carried out an advertising and promotional campaign to persuade business units to attend the expo, and drawn up a list of participants to give to the host country prior to the event.
They will closely work with the Vientiane authorities and China to ensure smooth preparations for the expo and produce a film and brochures to advertise the hidden potential of charming Vientiane.
The China-Asean Expo, co-sponsored by China and the 10 Asean countries as well as the Asean Secretariat, is the only international trade fair which focuses solely on the China-Asean Free Trade Area to promote the reciprocal cooperation and common development of China and Asean.
vientiane times
