HCM CITY — About 320 businesses from 27 countries and territories around the world are showcasing their latest products and modern technologies at the 8th Viet Nam International Precision Engineering, Machine Tools and Metalworking Exhibition (MTA), which opens today in HCM City.

Bui Thi Thuc Anh, director of VCCI Exhibition Services Co, said MTA Viet Nam was a key event for manufacturing sector and the largest machine tool and metalworking exhibition ever held in the city.

Its attendance has increased by 30 per cent per year.

The event has featured a strong international presence with group pavilions from mainland China, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Other major companies exhibiting MTA Viet Nam 2011 include Agie Charmilles, Accuway, Amada, Blum, Bystronic, Campro, Carl Zeiss, Chin Fong, Guehring, Heidenhain, Jainnher, Mitsubishi Electric, Mazak, Renishaw, Nikon and Mitutoyo.

The event has gained the interest of key international industry players. Firms in sectors like aviation, automobiles, precision engineering, electricity, electronics, construction, support industries and chemicals will introduce their products worth billions of US dollars.

"The MTA exhibition will also help domestic businesses promote their products, build new partnerships and sign more contracts to increase their competitiveness in the market," Anh noted.

At the opening ceremony, Vu Tien Loc, chairman of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said industrialisation and modernisation was a process to renovate technology of the economic sector, of which manufacturing and mechanical engineering sector had kept a strategic position.

The exhibition aimed to increase added value for the domestic industry and further serve exports.

Last year, the event welcomed more than 7,000 visitors.

The exhibition, which will close on Friday, is being held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre.

MTA Viet Nam 2011 is organised by the VCCI Exhibition Service Ltd Co in collaboration with Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd with support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. — VNS