VietNamNet Bridge – The biggest ever Fair for Technology and Equipment in Vietnam, Techmart ASEAN + 3, enjoyed a successful opening at Giang Vo Exhibition Centre, Hanoi.

Over 700 companies to attend Techmart Vietnam ASEAN+3

Top government officials were on hand to witness the impressive and profitable Techmart start as the proceedings got underway.

Politburo member To Huy Rua, chief of the Party’s Propaganda and Education Committee, Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan, and Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong, all participated in the opening ceremony.

Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan commented: “This Techmart, with the presence of eight ASEAN countries and Japan, China and South Korea, shows the great effort of the Ministry of Science and Technology in the process of international integration. On behalf of the Government, I praise them and the People’s Committees of Hanoi and HCM City for organising this event.”

At the end of the opening ceremony, guests witnessed the signing of technology contracts believed to be worth millions of US dollars.

Minister Hoang Van Phong said this Techmart offers an opportunity to bring foreign technology into Vietnam and vice versa as well as boosting further economic and technological cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea.

Techmart is an annual event started in 2003 with the aim of promoting scientific and technological market in Viet Nam.

In 2003 businesses signed technological transfer contracts worth more than $64 million. Last year’s Techmart saw contracts exchanged worth over $76 million.

Techmart 2009 has 600 stalls showcasing Vietnamese enterprises and 50 from ASEAN, South Korea, Japan and China.

The opening ceremony in photos:

The opening ceremony begins with music and dance.

Deputy PM Nguyen Thien Nhan delivers the opening speech.

The contract signing ceremony between local and foreign partners.

Vietnamese officials visit Thai stall.

Minister of Science and Technology Hoang Van Phong (second from the left) at a stall from Laos.

Phong listens to a presentation about Thai technology.

Phong visits continues his look around Techmart stalls.

Phong (third from the left) talks with Laos representatives.

PV