Three electronics shows seek to promote Vietnamese content

NEPCON Vietnam (NEV) 2017, Industrial Components and Subcontracting Vietnam (ICSV) 2017 and the seventh Vietnam-Japan Supporting Industries Exhibition brought together over 200 leading brands from 20 countries, including six international pavilions from industry leaders Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Singapore, Chinese-Taipei and Thailand.

NEPCON Vietnam (NEV) 2017 contributed to promoting support and electronics industries by focusing on demonstrating Surface Mount Technology Equipment and Services and electronics manufacturing solutions from leading technology providers such as Techvalley, Fuji, Sinfonia, Juki, Wkk, Sip, Hibex , Systech and Lintec.

The same venue, Hanoi’s International Exhibition Center, also hosted Industrial Components and Subcontracting Vietnam (ICSV) 2017 and the seventh Vietnam-Japan Supporting Industries Exhibition organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) with support by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE).

Speaking at the September 13 opening, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh said an increase in local contents is vital for manufacturing industries such as automobiles, textiles, footwear and electronics, as is extensive engagement in global manufacturing and supply chains.

“This integrated event provides practical opportunities for enterprises in Vietnam’s support industries to access and learn new market trends, technical innovations, and meet potential international partners, which will contribute to strong and sustainable development of Vietnam’s support industries,” Khanh said.

According to the Japanese Embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Vietnam, Jun Yanagi, about 1,600 Japanese firms operate in Vietnam. Although almost half of them are from the electronics manufacturing sector, the ratio of local products they procure is very low. In addition, most of those local products are supplied by Japanese firms in Vietnam, meaning that business transactions between Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises are still very limited and there is major growth potential.

Jun Yanagi underlined the important role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial ecology of Japan. Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises account for about 99.7 percent of the total number of enterprises, and about 70 percent of the total number of employees. Even such famous Japanese firms as Toyota, Honda and Sony started out as small factories.

Jun Yanagi said he hoped the newly adopted Law on Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises would result in more government resources to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, which his government would be happy to support.

Suttisak Wilanan, deputy managing director of Reed Tradex Co. that helped organize the shows, said Vietnam has been one of the brightest stars in ASEAN’s manufacturing landscapes for many years. Many of the world’s manufacturing and electronics giants have relocated their facilities to various industrial estates here due to the government’s endorsement, sizable workforce and productivity output that can respond to market demand both domestically and internationally.

The three exhibitions contributed to widening the possibilities for support and electronic manufacturing industries in Vietnam through technology showcases and a large-scale business-matching event for Japanese buyers and sellers during these three productive days, he said. “We are committed to bring technology providers of the most sought-after solutions and manufacturers together, so everyone can take advantage of the professionally organized B2B platform that can serve both buyers and suppliers’ interest,” Suttisak Wilanan said.