International firms join engineering expo in city

Some 320 companies from around the world are showcasing a vast array of machines and equipments at an exhibition that opened in HCMC on Tuesday.

Over 85% of the exhibitors at the four-day MTA Vietnam 2011 are from overseas while the rest are from Vietnam, said Stephen Tan, chief executive of Singapore Exhibition Services Co., an organizer.

This is the eighth such show, which also features 11 large-scale pavilions of participating countries and territories such as China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the U.K.

The exhibitors are showing their latest solutions, services and products in areas of aviation, automotive, precision engineering, electricity, electronics, construction, supporting industries and chemicals, among others.

The event at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in District 7 sees an 11% increase in display space from last year’s edition and is the biggest machine tool and metalworking trade exhibition in HCMC, Tan said.

“As the country’s manufacturing industry progresses, the country is set to become one of Southeast Asia’s major manufacturing hubs,” Tan said. “MTA Vietnam aims to support Vietnam’s manufacturing needs as the sector grows, providing the industry with an essential platform for industry professionals to network, explore business opportunities, and gather knowledge about the latest trends and developments.”

Kazunori Kojima, general director of Japan-based Amada Vietnam Co. Ltd., said Vietnam was a potential market for his company’s machines. “Joining for the third time last year, we had many customers.”

The company has already supplied machines including six laser cutting machines with the price of at least US$350,000 per unit for local enterprises, he said, adding his firm would sell around four such machines this year. He said many local companies were working on expansion plans and had replaced their old machines. “This is a good opportunity,” he noted.

Tan said the organizers were planning to hold two shows next year, with one in Hanoi and the other in HCMC, instead just one in HCMC like this year. – SGT

Tags: MTA Vietnam 2011