Vientiane (VNA) – Nearly 100 businesses of Vietnamand Laos gathered at a conference in Vientiane on June 29 to seek partnershipopportunities, an activity within the framework of the Laos-Vietnam Trade Fair2018.

The business-to-business conference was held bythe Vietnam Association for Women Entrepreneurs (VAWE) and the VientianeBusinesswomen’s Association.

Opening the event, Chairwoman of the Hanoi Smalland Medium Enterprises Association Mai Thi Thuy, who is also a member of theVAWE Executive Board, said this is the fifth time the VAWE has taken part inLaos-Vietnam trade fairs and organised meetings between the two countries’businesses.

About 40 percent of Vietnamese companiesparticipating in the four previous trade fairs successfully sought partners orreceived orders from the Lao side, which has growing demand for high-qualitygoods of Vietnam.

The VAWE’s participation in this year’s tradefair aims to learn more about the local market and look for cooperation withLao enterprises to open distribution agents for Vietnamese goods in Laos, Thuysaid.

She asked participating businesses tostraightforwardly share information about their firms and demand and suggestsuitable cooperation methods to form as many business partnerships as possible,thereby helping to enhance the countries’ economic links as well as specialfriendship and solidarity.

At the conference, tens of Vietnamese and Laocompanies introduced their strong products and goods they have selling orbuying demand for. They also showed their need for partnership in goodsdistribution and production.

Six cooperation agreements were signed at theevent, focusing on goods distribution, tourism, hospitality and services.

The organising board predicted that many morecooperation deals will be inked at the official opening ceremony of theLaos-Vietnam Trade Fair 2018 on June 30.

Themed “Cooperation, friendship anddevelopment”, the fair is taking place at the Lao International TradeExhibition and Convention Centre (Lao-ITECC) in Vientiane from June 28 to July2. It attracts more than 120 businesses and units of Vietnam and Laos.-VNA