A total of 80 Vietnamese and Thai businesses operating in various areas participated in a trade fair and exchange in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 28.

 The event, held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), is to help domestic enterprises exchange experiences with their partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in preparation for the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.

 At the event, thirty businesses from the northeastern part of Thailand introduced a wide range of products, including the country’s specialties, handicrafts, functional foods and beverages.

 Dr. Jiraphan Skuna, Director of the Thai Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Office, said a number of Thai businesses had successfully operated in Vietnam in the fields of agriculture and real estate. He expressed his hope that the two countries’ enterprises would expand their trade ties in other areas.

Nguyen The Hung, Deputy Director of VCCI’s Ho Chi Minh Chapter, underlined the need for businesses to map out the orientation for successful integration. He said Vietnamese businesses should not avoid competitiveness as the country’s several products such as pepper, cashew nuts and rice have become popular in the world./.

 (VNA)