The International East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) Trade and Tourism Fair - Da Nang 2024 officially opened at the city’s International Exhibition Fair Centre, 9 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, on Friday.

Permanent Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh delivering his opening speech at the EWEC - Da Nang Fair 2024

In his opening speech, Permanent Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Ho Ky Minh said that in 2024, Da Nang continued to be chosen by the Ministry of Industry and Trade as the venue for the EWEC Fair in the National Programme on Trade Promotion. He highlighted the significance of the fair in contributing to further enhancing friendly cooperation, and mutual understanding and trust, between countries on the East-West Economic Corridor and in the region.

He noted that Da Nang is the end point of the East-West Economic Corridor, which is of special importance in expanding trade with countries in the region and the world thanks to its fairly synchronous and modern infrastructure system.

Also, the central coastal city has laid an emphasis on rolling out solutions to support businesses, and boosting the recovery of key economic sectors and fields, thereby contributing positively to the overall growth of the entire city's economy. In particular, the service and tourism sectors continue to be important driving forces for the local economic growth as many unique activities, events and festivals have been continuously organised, and new tourism products have been launched.

Notable among them are the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2024, the "Enjoy Da Nang 2024" Festival, fairs, exhibitions, and attractive promotion programmes.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long speaking at the EWEC - Da Nang 2024 Fair.

The EWEC Fair, first held in 2007, aims to popularise the image, socio-economic potential as well as investment, trade and tourism opportunities of localities across the country to organisations, businesses and investors along the EWEC.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the fair, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long emphasised that the annual EWEC Fair offered the opportunity for provinces and cities in the Central and Central Highlands, and localities of the countries in the East-West Economic Corridor and in the Mekong sub-region, to introduce their socio-economic development achievements, and promote their trade, investment and tourism potential.

He undertook that the success of the fair over the years was mainly attributed to the special attention, and close direction and coordination of the industry and trade sector in general, and the efficiency of trade promotion activities in particular. This, thereby, has won trust and active support from businesses and authorities in the EWEC route, plus embassies, trade offices, and trade promotion and management agencies of participating countries year after year.

Standing Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Ky Minh (2nd, right) and delegates visiting the fair

The fair will be an effective bridge, and an important trade promotion channel, facilitating businesses to approach consumers, promote trade, and seek business cooperation opportunities.

EWEC 2024 Fair attracts nearly 300 booths of more than 150 enterprises from localities along the East-West Economic Corridor and from provinces and cities across the country. In addition, there are booths of diplomatic agencies in Viet Nam and Da Nang such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

Within the framework of the fair, there are an exhibition introducing "One Commune One Product" (OCOP) products, and typical rural industrial products; conferences and seminars to connect trade and support businesses; and many other sideline activities.

Reporting by V.HOANG, M.QUE - Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG