HCM CITY — The latest machinery, technologies and business solutions for the livestock breeding, dairy and aquaculture industries will be on show at the ILDEX Vietnam expo in HCM City from March 14 to 16.

The 7th International Livestock, Dairy, Meat Processing and Aquaculture Exposition has attracted nearly 250 exhibitors from 30 countries and territories, and there will also be six national pavilions set up by France, the US, South Korea, the Netherlands, China, and the Czech Republic.

Speaking at a press briefing in HCM City on Monday Nguyễn Bá Vinh, director of the Minh Vi Exhibition and Advertisement Services Co., Ltd (VEAS), one of the expo’s organisers, said this year’s event would be the largest ever and 50 per cent bigger than the last one held in 2016.

The increasing participation by foreign exhibitors shows their interest in the country’s livestock industry, he said.

Many seminars and conferences will also be held during the expo, including one on sustainable solutions for cow farmers for developing dairy and meat processing and another on alternative antibiotic solutions in livestock.

Hoàng Thanh Vân, head of the Animal Breeding Department, said despite difficulties last year the livestock sector grew by over 2.9 per cent.

The livestock industry is shifting away from traditional, small and scattered breeding to industrial-scale production with centralised slaughtering systems, he said.

It is expected to face more challenges this year, requiring stake holders in the industry to make more efforts to develop linkages in production and consumption and adopt measures to cut production costs, he added.

The exhibition would offer industry professionals the chance to learn about new technologies, network and explore business opportunities, he said.

Organised by VEAS and VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific Co., Ltd, ILDEX Vietnam will be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7 and is expected to attract 10,000 visitors.  — VNS