HCM CITY — More than 368 exhibitors from 46 countries and territories are taking part in the annual Vietstock Expo and Forum which opened on Wednesday in HCM City.

The event is recognised as a gateway to the flourishing feed, livestock, poultry, aquaculture, meat, and allied sectors in Việt Nam and its neighbourhood.

M Gandhi, senior vice president and group managing director of UBM Asia, the organiser, said: “One thing that really sets Vietstock apart from other trade shows is that there is something for everyone so they can assess the latest products and get information to make informed buying decisions on the latest innovations that are changing the sector.

“It’s a valuable opportunity to connect with industry leaders and get the information you really need to drive you businesses growth.”

UBM said the exhibition this year is more international and larger than ever.

There has been growing international interest in Viestock, and more and more foreign companies looking to find business opportunities and partners in Việt Nam are taking part in it, it said.

International pavilions from Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, and China are displaying their latest products, technologies and solutions.

There are dozens of conferences scheduled to discuss opportunities and issues affecting the industry, provide know-how and check out the latest innovations.

Nguyễn Xuân Dương, acting director general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s department of livestock production, said Việt Nam’s livestock industry has been able to quickly overcome the difficulties faced in swine breeding last year.

This year it has successfully achieved the goals that had been set like achieving high yields, expanding production scale and doing extensive farming to achieve higher output and quality to meet domestic consumption and export demand, he said.

Chicken is being exported to Japan, which indicates Vietnamese livestock businesses’ capacity and that the quality of the country’s livestock products is good enough to be exported to developed countries, he said.

Aquaculture is also strong, and the industry expects to export US$9 billion worth of products this year, he said.

Companies need to invest more in technology, innovations and management to improve productivity, quality and food safety, he added.

The three-day exhibition is being held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7. — VNS