Media Releases

Vietnam – trade future bright - 31 October, 2007

The Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board (SMEDB) is currently leading a delegation of business and industry to the Food & Hotel Vietnam expo in Ho Chi Minh City to explore opportunities in the hospitality industry.

The three day expo brings senior buyers from one of the world’s fastest growing food and hospitality industries together to view produce and products from around the world, including the Mildura region.

The delegation led by SMEDB CEO Andrew Millen and Economic Development Project Officer, Helena Howe includes Anthony Murphy from Trentham Estate, Bruno Moras from Nangiloc Colignan Farms and John Tesoriero from the Murray Valley Citrus Board.

Businesses that have sent product to be displayed at the trade fair include Beekeepers Choice honey, MQH Investments almonds, SunSalt salt products, Thachi Wines with the Broken Earth wine label and Merbein based Venue Wines with their wine products.

The Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board has engaged the services of Austrade as local facilitators to also set up key meetings to discuss product and market opportunities for the Mildura region in Vietnam.

Andrew Millen, CEO of SMEDB says from Vietnam “The growth in the Vietnamese market is astronomical. People in the middle class and expat communities are demanding quality, of which product from the Mildura region suits their palate and wallet. We are entering Vietnam at the right time, as it is emerging and growing.”

“All products have received very high interest levels from distributors, hotels and restaurants with strong enquiries for citrus and wine,” Mr Millen added.

This delegation to Vietnam follows an initial visit from Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board and Mildura Rural City Council in November 2006.

Vietnam has the world’s sixth highest expected growth rate for tourism between 2007 and 2016. There is also a 17% growth rate in hotel and restaurant trade which makes Vietnam an attractive export market for businesses to help shape the booming food industry.

Vietnam is the gateway to Indochina and as a centre of growth, opens trading opportunities with countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand.

Food & Hotel Vietnam 2007 is being held from Tuesday 30 October to Thursday 1 November. The 2006 fair attracted over 7,240 registered buyers and 250 exhibitors and the current fair is anticipated to exceed these numbers.