The three-day ProPak Vietnam 2010 and Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2010 for international exhibitors have attracted over 370 companies from 30 countries and territories to showcase their latest technologies, machinery and equipment for the packaging, rubber and plastic industries.

Chew Pheng Huat, sales and service manager of Automatik Plastics Machinery Sdn. Bhd., a two-time exhibitor at Plastics & Rubber Vietnam, said Vietnam was a potential market for the company’s machines. The company producing plastics machines in Germany has already supplied machines for one customer in Vietnam.

Taiwan-based FCFC bought three or four plastics machines of Automatik, he said, adding that his company hoped to have more supply deals in Vietnam though the exhibition.

Joiepack Industrial Co. Ltd., a three-time participant of ProPak Vietnam, supplied packaging machines for local and foreign enterprises in Vietnam at past exhibitions. The company supplied 20 machines for local companies through the exhibitions, said Roger I. K. Wang, director of the company. He also expects to capitalize on high growth in Vietnam, saying many small and medium companies are working on business expansion plans.

Marco Saladini, head of the Italian Trade Commission, said Italian companies considered Vietnam a rapidly developing market for equipment and technology which is needed to satisfy the growth of its domestic and export markets.

According to the Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA), Vietnam has 2,000 plastics producers but 80% of them are small and medium enterprises and need new technology investment.

The association reported that Vietnam’s plastics revenue reached US$5 billion in 2008, including US$925 million in export sales. In 2009, the plastics industry exported more than US$1 billion worth of products.

VPA secretary general Nguyen Dang Cuong said, “Buoyed by increasing demand for high-tech products, the plastics processing industry in Vietnam is expected to grow up to 18% this year. We are convinced that Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2010 will be a feast of innovations, a platform for business trading and networking, and an accelerator for the development of the plastics and rubber industry in Vietnam.”

Bui Thi Thuc Anh, chief executive of VCCI Exhibition Service Co., said, “The Vietnamese economy is expected to grow up to 6.5% this year, with food processing and packaging ranked among the fastest growing sectors.”
The two exhibitions are organized at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in HCMC’s District 7 by VCCI Exhibition Service, Bangkok Exhibition Services Co. and Messe Dusseldorf Asia.