HCM CITY — The 2017 Metalex Việt Nam, an international exhibition on machine tools and metalworking for production upgrade, will return at the Sài Gòn Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in HCM City’s District 7 from October 12-14.

The exhibition is not only an opportunity for local manufacturers to approach the latest machine tools from 500 brands but also expanding their business networks.

Speaking at the press conference hold on August 24, deputy managing director of Reed Tradex, the exhibition’s organiser Suttisak Wilanan said: “Việt Nam’s manufacturing industry is not only facing challenges but also more opportunities, especially those relevant to the auto sector"

According to the BMI Research reported that Việt Nam will become the second fastest-growing production hub for cars in Southeast Asia after the Philippines between 2017 and 2021, he added.

"Business opportunities will flow towards industrialists when investment projects are pouring into Việt Nam. The metalworking will become more important to the manufacturing and supporting industries, as metal and steel are essential materials for industrial products".

It is hard to achieve these positive projections without advanced metalworking technologies, solutions and know-hows, he said.

Therefore, the exhibition will include "Engineer Master Class", which is a training programme, will help engineers enlarge technical knowledge, skills and technology that is necessary to be equipped to operate smart technologies integrated with Internet, he said.

Phạm Ngọc Tuấn, vice chairman of HCM City Association of Mechanical Engineering (HAME), said: “This programme will help to promote the development of manufacturing and supporting industries, as well as overcome any challenges and uncertainties that the Industry 4.0 era may bring.”

In addition, the Koma Taisen competition will be organised, which is a convergence of high precision spin tops, purposes to encourage all of manufacturers to show their ability in producing the high precision products to the world.

Hirate Yosuke, President of Orient Machine Ltd, said: “In recently, Việt Nam’s manufacturing industry market is actively attracting investment from many foreign companies of Japan and Korea."

According to the 2016 Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index (GMCI) report from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, Việt Nam is one of the “Mighty Five" which is expected be included into the top 15 nations on manufacturing competitiveness over the next five years. — VNS