METALEX Vietnam has attracted more than 200 domestic and international brands. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Two exhibitions for the manufacturing, metalworking and supporting industries, METALEX Vietnam 2024 and Supporting Industry Show 2024, opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in HCM City on Wednesday.

Organised by RX Tradex Vietnam, the 17th International Exhibition on Machine Tools and Metalworking Solutions (METALEX Vietnam) has attracted more than 200 domestic and international brands, with more than 75 per cent being foreign exhibitors from countries and territories such as China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Italy, India, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand.

They showcase advanced technologies used in industries such as automotive parts manufacturing, aviation, electronics, and metalworking, along with automation solutions, production control systems and advanced machinery, with the goal of facilitating Việt Nam’s manufacturing sector to transition to a circular economy.

Vũ Trọng Tài, general manager of RX Tradex Vietnam, said: “With the participation of leading manufacturers, we expect the event to not only enhance the competitiveness of the supporting industries but also to contribute to promoting sustainable development and the circular economy."

In addition to product and solution showcases, METALEX Vietnam also features a series of in-depth seminars discussing the latest trends and challenges in the manufacturing industry, he said.

Co-organised by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in HCM City, the Investment and Trade Promotion Centre of HCM City, and the Centre for Supporting Industries Development, the Supporting Industry Show 2024 (SIS 2024) features 18 Japanese companies in Việt Nam as buyers and 20 Vietnamese companies as suppliers.

Nobuyuki Matsumoto, chief representative of JETRO's HCM City office, said Việt Nam remains a highly attractive destination for Japanese investments.

The local procurement rate by Japanese firms in Việt Nam reached 41.9 per cent last year, up 4.6 percentage points from 2022, but it remained low compared to countries in the region such as China, Thailand and Indonesia, he said.

He noted that JETRO has organised many business-matching events, exhibitions and other events to boost co-operation between Vietnamese and Japanese firms in supporting industries over the past years.

A booth at the Supporting Industry Show 2024. The show opens up opportunities for domestic component suppliers to connect with Japanese companies. — VNS Photo

The SIS 2024 offers an opportunity for Vietnamese and Japanese businesses to meet, connect, and showcase advanced solutions and technologies aimed at promoting technology transfer and sustainable production, he said.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Võ Văn Hoan, deputy chairman of the city People’s Committee, stressed that the two exhibitions have established themselves as a trusted platform for the Vietnamese and international business community to seek business cooperation opportunities in the fields of machinery, mechanical processing technology and supporting industries.

Through the events, more enterprises, especially small and medium-sized manufacturing ones, can improve their production capacity and gradually participate deeply in the global supply chain.

He said: “Việt Nam’s supporting industries have achieved positive progress in recent years, but the localisation rate has not yet met expectations, while there is an increase in demand for local supply from multinational corporations, especially in sectors such as aviation, electronics, and automobiles. Therefore, connecting with Japanese businesses is a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese companies to learn from experience, improve production capacity, and further participate in the global supply chain.”

The two exhibitions will run until October 4 and are expected to receive 15,000 visitors. — VNS