The opening of the Supply- Demand Connection Conference between HCM City and various provinces and cities in the city on September 26. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The annual Supply-Demand Connection Conference between HCM City and various provinces and cities opened on September 26 with more than 2,000 businesses taking part.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Võ Văn Hoan, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the annual conference is aimed at building sustainable supply chains and linkages between producers and consumers.

Over the course of 12 years, the annual conference has established itself as a promotional activity for many provinces and cities across the country, especially those in the southeast, southwest, Central Highlands, and central coast, which have participated regularly for many years, he said.

"This year [it] is the largest ever, with 700 booths set up by more than 2,000 businesses from 45 provinces and cities participating to seek opportunities to connect with the HCM City market via traditional markets, leading retailers and e-commerce platforms.

“The conference this year features many innovative, practical and rich activities to cater to the needs of the business community.”

A booth showcasing some prominent products of Bến Tre Province at the Supply-Demand Connection Conference being held at the Phú Thọ Indoor Sport Stadium in HCM City’s District 11. — Photo courtesy of baotintuc.vn

They include an exhibition space with 700 booths displaying unique products, services and cuisines from across the country and direct B2B meetings between participating producers and wholesale markets, 13 leading retail groups and four e-commerce platforms.

There are also online connections being created via ketnoicungcau.vn, 19 livestreaming sessions hosted by content creators to introduce over 200 prominent specialties and OCOP products from participating localities to consumers, and training in setting up e-commerce stores and online selling skills.

Hoan urged the department to focus on "post-connection" solutions to ensure businesses whose products are selected are supported in refining them, completing documentation and resolving difficulties related to delivery, payment and inventories, especially in the initial stages when many could still be unfamiliar.

He emphasised the need to organise online connection activities more frequently to help businesses, especially SMEs, green businesses and startups, introduce and promote their products.

There will be a conference to review the first six months of the Cooperation Programme on Goods Quality Control, which aims to foster the production of safe and sustainable foods based on market indicators to meet domestic demand and export to demanding markets.

Organised by the HCM City People’s Committee and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the event at the Phú Thọ Indoor Sports Stadium in District 11, with the theme “Responsible connection towards green supply chain” this year, will run until September 29. — VNS