Lao-Thai trade fair opens in Vientiane
Lao-Thai trade fair opens in Vientiane
The Lao-Thai Trade Exhibition/Thailand Week in Laos is set to generate more than 8 billion kip from exhibitors and buyers, with more than 130,000 visitors expected, according to officials.
As part of efforts to boost bilateral trade between Laos and Thailand, the trade fair officially kicked off in Vientiane yesterday at Lao-ITECC.
This year, almost 260 booths are displaying products from Laos and Thailand. The event will run until May 10.
The fair is hosted annually by Vientiane, aiming to promote bilateral trade relations between the two countries and allow businesspeople to seek business matching opportunities and approach potential business partners.
In addition, it is a platform for business operators in Laos and Thailand to enhance and discuss their trade cooperation in the years to come.
At the same time, the governments of Laos and Thailand are looking to increase trade volume between the two countries ahead of the Asean Economic Community which comes into effect at the end of this year.
The event also serves to promote continuous cooperation in economics and trade between the public and private sectors of the two countries along with SME promotion.
Lao exhibitors are displaying a wide variety of products including consumer goods, handicrafts, foodstuffs, drinks, furniture and products for export.
Visitors will be able to shop for products from Thailand including machinery for agricultural purposes, electronic appliances, stationery and educational supplies.
The fair also features a variety of modern apparel, leather products, gifts, health products, cosmetics and other manufactured goods.
On the second day of the fair, a seminar will be held at Lao-ITECC on ‘Basic knowledge of branding', import and export procedures, and customs declaration at Lao-Thai borders.
‘Sourcing and Business Matching' will be another highlight of the fair, and is expected to draw attention from more businesspeople from the two countries.
The five-day fair will also allow people to take short vocational training courses to be organised at the event, which will be overseen by experienced trainers from Nong Khai Vocational College in Thailand.
Course participants can learn how to make fancy key chains, artificial flowers, notebooks and other skills.
The courses are free of charge and run from 10am to 4pm every day during the fair.
The trade exhibition was co-organised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Laos and the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mr Siewsavat Savengseuksa, Thai Ambassador to Laos Mr Pisanu Chanvitan and other senior officials from both sides were present at the opening ceremony.
