Vietnam-China int'l trade fair yields economic deals

The fair, which wrapped up on Wednesday, lured over 100,000 visitors to more than 800 booths of 315 firms that made combined sales of over 40 billion Vietnamese dong (nearly 1.8 million dollars) during the six-day event.
Of the 315 firms, 110 are from China, showcasing such products as machines, electronic appliances, consumer goods, garments, footwear and farm produce at 211 booths.
Besides Chinese and Vietnamese enterprises, the trade fair attracted 36 companies from South Korea, Thailand, Laos and Ghana. Trade and investment promotion seminars, business networking sessions and ornamental plant and animal exhibitions were also held during the fair.
During the trade fair, there will be a trade and economic talk between Lao Cai and Yunnan provinces, a trade conference between Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises, a tour of key tourism destinations in Lao Cai, and a reward ceremony for the design contest of Lao Cai souvenir products.
The fair aims to evaluate the economic and trade cooperation between Lao Cai and Yunnan and the construction of a cross-border economic cooperation area as well as creates an opportunity for the two sides’ businesses to exchange investment policies and sign economic contracts.
Lao Cai currently houses 15 Chinese-invested projects totaling 392 million dollars, the provincial Department of Planning and Department said.