"With HortEx we want to build a bridge between suppliers and the growers and also promote the Vietnamese horticultural and floricultural industry", HortEx organizer Kuno Jacobs spoke this morning. He welcomed over 100 exhibitors from 19 companies at his show and paid special attention to the strong delegations from the Netherlands and Italy and the government attendants attending the show.
During the opening show Nguyen Hong Son, head of Crop Production Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, explained how the climatical conditions and the quality of the industry have urged a growth in the horticultural exports and explained how the limited application of techniques, mechanization and room for improvement post-harvest are reasons for the government to support the exhibition. Also Dr Wing Hun, general secretary of Vinafrut (Vietnam fruit and vegetables Association) and Nguyen Huu Dat reaffirmed this enthusiasm for new technologies and exchanging knowledge.
Arie Veldhuizen, agricultural counsellor of the Embassy of the Netherlands, explained how Vietnam is interesting thanks to the high economic growth and as gateway: for Vietnam via Netherlands through Europe, and for the Dutch via Vietnam to the region as well. This was shown on the first day of the exhibition, with visitors from a.o. Vietnam, Philippines, Korea, Japan and Australia on the exhibition. Most participants therefore spoke of a good start of the exhibition: not only the quantity of visitors pleased them, but the diversity and quality was satisfying as well.
Over the next couple of days we'll keep you updated on the developments in the Vietnamese and South-East Asian market.
Lucchini Idromeccanica of Italy was represented by Luigi Pezzon & Vittorio Genuardi
The Greenspan Agritech team
Arjen Janmaat, Jan Hoogewoning & Regnier ten Haaf of Hortimax with Jorien Schouten, Sudlac