Ninety-eight businesses from Vietnam have joined Lao partners to showcase products at a trade fair, which opened in the Lao capital city of Vientiane on October 1.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Thanh Bien and his Lao counterpart Khenmany Phonsena joined Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Ta Minh Chau at the opening ceremony.

On display is a diverse range of commodities, including medical equipment, processed food, industrial machines and equipment, construction materials, garments, handicraft products, interior-exterior decorations, and consumer goods.

The fair forms part of Vietnam’s national trade promotion programme and serves as a venue for Vietnamese firms to share experience and technologies with Lao businesses and seek partners for commerce in the country.

It is also a chance for companies from Vietnam to promote their trademarks, explore local maket and establish outlets in the neighbouring country.

Both Mr. Bien and Mr. Phonsena said the fair is part of the efforts to realise the set target of US$1 billion in two way trade in 2010 and US$2 billion five years later as agreed upon by the two countries.

Within the framework of the fair, there will be a seminar where companies from both nations are expected to put forth proposals to remove obstacles in a move to facilitate the flow of cross-border goods. (VNA)