Workers at Hậu Giang Food Co stack bags of rice for exports. Chinese enterprises will seek to import rice from Việt Nam during the upcoming China (Guangdong)- Việt Nam Import and Export Fair in Hà Nội. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI Up to 260 businesses from Việt Nam and China will take part in the 2019 China (Guangdong)- Việt Nam Import and Export Fair, slated to be held at the Hà Nội International Centre for Exhibition in the capital city from Wednesday to Friday.

The fair aims to facilitate the trade and investment co-operation among Vietnamese enterprises and those from China’s Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, the event’s organiser said, adding that it will be a good chance for Vietnamese enterprises to explore new markets, expand their export networks and introduce their products to the world.

The event – the first ever of its kind in Việt Nam – will showcase machinery, electric equipment, electronics, LED and lighting technology, construction materials and furniture in addition, hi-tech products and accessories as well as garment, consumer goods and food into around 300 booths, the Việt Nam National Trade Fair and Advertising Company (Vinexad) said in a statement.

A business conference will also be held featuring representatives from the two countries’ ministries and more than 100 Guangdong companies currently operating in Việt Nam.

More than 3,000 potential buyers will also join a business matching programme intended to open up new opportunities.

Economic and trade relations between Việt Nam and China have been developing in a positive direction, as shown by the continuous increase of bilateral trade turnover, experts have said.

Two-way trade reached US$106.7 billion in 2018, up 14 per cent year-on-year, statistics from the General Department of Việt Nam Customs revealed.

The trade experienced a yearly rise of 12 per cent to $52.36 billion in the first half of this year, helping China retain its position as Việt Nam’s leading trade partner.

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, China invested more than $2.28 billion in Việt Nam in the January- June period, making it the country’s third largest source of foreign investment.

As of June 2019, the neighbour had 2,461 valid projects in Việt Nam with a total investment capital of more than $15.45 billion, ranking seventh among 132 countries and territories investing in the country. VNS