The visit has been organized by the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association (HAWA) of Ho Chi Minh City in coordination with the Investment and Trade Promotion Center of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC), the Vietnamese embassy in Canada and Canada’s Trade Facilitation Office (TFO).

At a seminar on opportunities for selling wood and interior decoration products in the Canadian market held on October 29, HAWA Vice Chairman Tran Quoc Manh said the visit by Canadian businesses presents an opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to expand their export market.

Enterprises should prepare their marketing plans well to promote their products, and attract buyers, Mr Manh noted.

In the first nine months of 2011, wood and interior decoration exports reached more than $2.8 billion. As Vietnamese exports are facing some difficulties in the US and Europe, market expansion in Canada is considered an effective solution, he added.

Head of the Canadian business delegation, Robert Mackinnon, said Canada is a big international import-export market and, despite global economic difficulties, the country has achieved high growth in imports and exports. The best way to enter the Canadian market is through trade centres, retail chains and e-commerce services, he said.

During their visit, Canadian businesses will meet with wood processors and visit some of their production facilities.