Made in Laos exhibition open for business
Made in Laos exhibition open for business
The five-day Made in Laos 2014 exhibition, which aims to bring producers and customers together, was officially opened yesterday at the Lao-ITECC in Xaysettha district, Vientiane.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Nam Vinhaket and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) President Mr Sisavath Thiravong.
The third event of its kind features 304 booths displaying a mix of products from 125 companies in the provinces of Huaphan, Xayaboury, Savannakhet, Champassak, Bokeo, Luang Prabang, Xekong and Saravan. It also includes products from foreign companies that are manufacturing goods in Laos.
The 304 booths include 33 booths for furniture, 22 for handmade silk and cotton goods, four for silver handicraft works, 21 for production and export factories, six for food and drinks companies, two for pharmaceutical factories and 10 for One District One Product-certified items. Each display booth cost 2.2-2.6 million kip to hire.
The event will give people a chance to buy a plethora of products made in Laos.
Seminars will run right through the event today, focusing on exchanges of experience between businesspeople, LNCCI members and students.
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.
The government is currently trying to promote production and trade among all households and families in both 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 better 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.
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
