Nearly 500 businesses from home and abroad are expected to get togetherat the 13th Vietnam-China International Trade Fair, which will open inLao Cai city on January 13.

The event aims todevelop economic cooperation between the northern province of Lao Caiand China’s western provinces, said Director General of the VietnamTrade Promotion Agency Do Thang Hai, at a press briefing in Hanoi onOctober 18.

It will also help participants seekpartners and expand their market, benefiting Vietnam-China border traderelations, Hai added.

The fair will house 700pavilions, including 250 from foreign businesses and localities, ViceChairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Duongrevealed.

The stalls will showcase a wide range ofproducts such as handicrafts, machines, electric and electronicsappliances, seafood, and tourism services along the Kunming-LaoCai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh economic corridor.

Anumber of seminars will be hosted on the sidelines of the event forbusinesspeople from both sides to meet and exchange with each other.

Organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Lao Caiprovincial People’s Committee, the event will run until January 18 aspart of the 2013 national commercial promotion programme.-VNA