One event held, 5 each planned for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City next yearReed Tradex is expanding its trade exhibition and conference organising business in Vietnam to tap the country's rising economy. Reed Tradex hopes to become the leader in its field in Vietnam by 2010.

Deputy managing director and general manager for the Vietnam market Chainarong Limpkittisin said the company organised its first event

in October by bringing 150 international companies to attend its Metalex Vietnam trade exhibition and conference.

The company is already scheduled to arrange five events each in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City next year.

Among them are Nepcon, for international electronics manufacturing technology; InterPlas, for plastics and rubber technology; InterMold, for machinery and technology; Automation, for automobile manufacturing machinery and automotive parts; Metalex; Worlddidac, on educational materials and professional training; VisCom, for visual and signage machinery; and a printing technology expo.

Chainarong said Vietnam had seen rapid economic growth during the past few years.

Many industries are being quickly developed, particularly electronics, plastics, printing, visual communication and education.

These are interesting industries that Reed Tradex plans to tap to enjoy business growth.

"Vietnam still has a small base in terms of income and economic size compared to Thailand.

"Hence, the country has a large potential to grow. Nevertheless, it still has a lot of work to do with infrastructure, venue facilities, working processes and services," Chainarong said.

Reed Tradex does not expect revenue from organising exhibitions and conferences in Vietnam to become higher than its business in Thailand.

Revenue from Vietnam is expected to contribute 10 per cent of the company's total revenue next year and 40 per cent in five years.

Current competitors in Vietnam include local organisers plus others from Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

However, Chainarong said only two of them were Reed Tradex's direct competitors, with capability to arrange trade exhibitions and conferences at the same international standard.

In term of its business in Thailand, Chainarong said the company was still running smoothly amid the economic downturn.

He said overall revenue for the company this year should reach its targeted 20-per-cent growth.

The company's plans for Thailand in the coming year include InterPlas, InterMold, Automotive Manufacturing, Assembly Technology and Fluid Power.