HCM CITY— More than 210 Thai enterprises are showcasing their products and services at the Top Thai Brands expo which opened yesterday in HCM City.

The four-day exhibition offers exceptional opportunities to explore the extensive range of internationally-recognised Thai products and services and discover the business potential in various sectors such as automobile and motorcycle parts and accessories, beauty and healthcare products, food and beverages, and fashion.

The fair also features services like education, tourism, franchise businesses, and food services.

Việt Nam has seen strong business expansion and investment by Thai firms in the last few years, Nguyễn Vân Nga, deputy director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Agency for Southern Affairs, said.

Last year Thailand was its largest trade partner among ASEAN members, she said.

Last year bilateral trade topped US$15.11 billion, accounting for 30.5 per cent of Việt Nam’s trade within ASEAN.

The expo has attracted many major Thai brands and firms looking for opportunities to expand their business and franchise, she said.

Ureerat Ratanaprukse, the Thai consul general in HCM City, said Thai investment in just the last 10 months was $9.3 billion.

“This reflects the confidence of the Thai private sector in Việt Nam’s vibrant economy.”

According to her, the event not only creates business opportunities for the Thai private sector but also market access for Vietnamese to top quality products and services, thus benefiting both Thai and Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

Top Thai Brands 2018 is expected to contribute greatly to achieving the bilateral trade target of $20 billion by 2020 as agreed by the two countries, she added.

The fair, on at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7, is being organised by the Thai Trade Centre in HCM City in collaboration with the Việt Nam National Trade Fair & Advertising Company. — VNS