The International Textile and Garment Industry Expo in Ho Chin Minh City that started on April 9 saw mass participation by thousands of domestic and foreign companies.
The four day exhibition held at the International Exhibition and Convention Center concluded today and housed some 550 booths representing 395 companies from 27 countries, recording a 50 percent increase against last year.
Participating companies are aiming to ink deals and test technologies at the fair organized by Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (Vitas).
It was a great opportunity for local textile and garment firms to work with international partners on state-of-art tools and equipment from industrialized countries.
During the opening ceremony of the fair, Mr Bui Xuan Khu, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade said that the garment industry of the country was investing in modern technologies for which accessories were also very essential.
Mr Khu further added that the number of exhibitors partaking in the event actually goes to show the remarkable development of the garment sector of Vietnam. He also believes that the only way to increase global competitiveness was to expand more facilities and ameliorate technologies.
So far the garment sector of Vietnam has generated jobs for more than two million workers contributing nearly 15 percent to the overall exports. This apart, the country ranks among the top 10 garment exporters in the world achieving 20 percent growth annually.
According to Le Quoc An, Chairman of Vietnam Textile and Apparel Group (Vinatex), investing in technology was the key strategy to boost productivity and that by 2010 garment export turnover of the country should be $12 billion.
