Held at the Excel Convention Centre in London from March 2-3, the event attracted 500 businesses and 7,000 visitors. It offered a major opportunity for Vietnamese firms to promote their products and seek business partners and export opportunities in the UK and Europe.
At the expo, Vietnamese firms and their UK partners signed three strategic economic cooperation agreements with a total value of 300 million GBP (400.45 million USD).
They comprised an agreement on credit support for Vietnamese exporters, another on legal assistance for firms joining the UK and European markets, and one on the provision of tourism services on a cruise ship in the UK.
Trade Counsellor in the UK Nguyen Canh Cuong shared that Vietnam has emerged as a consumer goods manufacturer meeting European standards. The event helped Vietnamese firms, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to promote their products to global consumers and seek export opportunities.
Director of Evergreen Trade Capital Marc Meyer-Webb said that, together with the traditional export items of foodstuffs and garment-textiles, Vietnam is now boosting shipments of electronic devices and machinery, which the UK has high demand for and can be a high-potential market for the Southeast Asian country.
In order to optimise chances when taking part in major international fairs like the White Label Expo, companies are advised to prepare product specifications in English, and connect with Vietnamese firms operating overseas.
In addition, they must gather information on websites of Vietnamese embassies and agencies at home, such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in order to remain informed on international trade events as well as capitalise on trade promotions and export opportunities.
