At a press briefing in Hanoi on November 9, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Thanh Bien said that nearly 500 businesses from Vietnam and China have registered to take part in the fair, up 20% compared to 2007. 30% of these businesses will come from China to showcase a wide range of products, including fashion industry, utensils, wooden and interior products, handicrafts, agricultural products, food processing, machines and equipment, construction materials, and tourism services.

Nhu Thi Hong Lien, Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh People’s Committee, said that lying in the Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh economic triangle, Mong Cai is a node in the “two corridor one economic belt co-operation”. Trade activities in Quang Ninh have increased considerably in recent years, accounting for 30-40% of the total trade earnings from Vietnam provinces sharing the borders with China. Representatives from eight foreign embassies will attend the fair, Mrs Lien added.