‘Made in Laos' trade fair to bring producers and customers together
‘Made in Laos' trade fair to bring producers and customers together
Preparations for the third Made in Laos fair in 2014 are almost complete, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) reported yesterday.
The event will give people a chance to buy a plethora of products produced in Laos, and will be held at the Lao-ITECC in Xaysettha district, Vientiane from January 15-19.
“More than 150 booths have been booked through the LNCCI to display and sell products,” said LNCCI Vice President, Mr Daovone Phachanthavong, at a press conference yesterday in Vientiane.
He said the preparations were now around 70 percent complete. The event will feature 300 booths displaying a mix of products from every province, including from foreign companies that manufacture goods in Laos. Currently all of the booths are being set up and prepared.
Mr Daovone said each display booth cost 2.2-2.6 million kip to hire.
The products will be from all the sectors, including agriculture, handicraft, furniture and services.
“You will see a quantity of quality products from the provinces,” the LNCCI's other Vice President, Dr Sananh Chounlamany, said.
Among the other sectors that will be represented are furniture and woodcarving, industrial vehicles, textiles and garments, pharmaceuticals and services, handicrafts, bamboo weaving, jewellery, household equipment, food and various agricultural products.
The government views the event as a platform to bring together producers, processors, traders and customers, as well as being a chance to promote Lao products to both local and foreign buyers.
Retailers and producers will meet and discuss prices directly, cutting out middlemen.
Currently the government is trying to promote production and trade among all households and families both in urban and rural areas. It wants Lao people to learn more about trading, production and marketing, and this exhibition will help their products gain good reputations and help them to understand customers' requirements.
The fair will also give producers the chance to exchange views with customers on production methods, packaging and supply. It aims to improve the production and supply of goods to ensure Laos is capable of adequate product quality and quantity before the arrival of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.
The government wants to build strength and capacity among producers and help them to build a production chain so that together they can strengthen the ‘Made in Laos' brand.
Seminars will run right through the event, focusing experience exchanges between businesspeople, LNCCI members and students.
The event is supported by funding from more than 10 companies and organisations, including the National Small and Medium Sized Enterprise Office and various banks, electricity providers, drink manufacturers, auto companies, paramedics, telecoms and mining companies.
vientiane times
