Vietnam hosts international exhibitions on plastics, rubber, packaging

More than 470 companies from over 28 countries and territories are showcasing new and advanced products and technologies at the on-going Propak Vietnam and Plastic & Rubber Vietnam exhibitions in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City, local Vietnam News daily reported Wednesday. The Propak is the leading international showcase for Vietnam's growing food, drink, and pharmaceutical industries, featuring packaging solutions, machinery for producing confectionery, food ingredients, and others. Meanwhile, Plastic & Rubber Vietnam is offering to manufacturers a range of high-end technologies and equipment catering to all factory production needs, and is being held along with Propak because over 35 percent of plastics relate directly to the packaging industry. According to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Exhibition Center, which is co-organizer of the expos, Vietnam's food processing industry has grown rapidly in the last few years, while total sales of pharmaceutical products is estimated to reach 5.2 billion by 2015. Plastics exports are forecast to grow at 13.5- 16.5 percent this year. Sideline events include conferences and seminars on industry trends, regulations, packing design improvements, 3D printing, and food engineering development and challenges. During the three-day expos, which will open till Thursday, business executives from Singapore, Thailand, Italy, South Korea and Germany have direct exchange of information with visitors on related issues.