The workshop organized by Laos’ Consulate General in HCMC in coordination with HCMC Trade and Investment Promotion Center at Le Van Tam Park, was a part of the series of events in the ongoing Lao Goods Week in HCMC.

The event was attended by nearly 80 businesses from Laos and Vietnam in fields such as vegetable and fruit processing, food processing, confectionary, beverage, plastic items, cosmetics, handicraft, garment and textile, footwear, handbags, construction, design, environmental treatment.

Leading distribution firms in Vietnam such as Diamond Plaza, Lotte Vietnam, Aeon Mall, SGG Van Thanh, E-Mart Vietnam, Satra, Aeon Citimart, Saigon Co.op, Mega Market Vietnam and Big-C were also present.

Lao firms introduced their specialties to seek trade connectivity opportunities with Vietnamese firms and distributors.

Statistics from the Department of Industry and Trade show that HCMC-Laos trade turnover neared $12.73 million in 2016, increasing to $8.01 million in 2017. Of these, HCMC export value hit $7.9 million and import reach $107,000.

Major export items to Laos include seafood, footwear, garment, steel products, coal, petrol, fertilizers, electric cables and equipment and machines.