Despite the current economic difficulties, a large number of people visited an exhibition of Thai products on August 6.

This shows the high purchasing power of Vietnam ’s market and theincreased attraction of Thai goods, especially cosmetics, householdgoods, fine arts and electronics.

The ninth exhibition will last until August 9 and has attracted nearly130 businesses from Thailand and Thai producers based in Vietnam .

“Reasonable prices, good quality and attractive designs are why Ichoose Thai products”, said Nguyen Thanh Huyen, an administrativeofficer, who has attended every Thai exhibition.

The marketing Director of PGL Vietnam, Nguyen Lan Anh, said that hercompany specialises in tools and sold 40 percent of their goods on thefirst day of the exhibition. In previous events, the company’s productssold out before the fair ended.

According to Thai Trade Counsellor Unchalee Asavametha, the exhibitionoffers opportunities for businesses from both countries to find newpartners.

In her opinion, Vietnam is a retail market with potential fordevelopment for Thailand . She also pledged to provide more informationand create better conditions for Thai businesses to increase theirinvestment in Vietnam .

Apart from the annual Thai exhibition in April and an Thai trade fairin August in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Thailand is implementing othertrade promotions between the two countries, she added.

Vietnamese-Thai trade is developing fast. In 2006, two-way tradereached 6.2 billion USD and is expected to hit 10 billion USD by 2010./.