Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from 21-23 October this year. The event is set to become the largest stand alone plastics and rubber technologies and materials show in Vietnam to date to accommodate the processing needs of entrepreneurs and industrialists in Vietnam and its neighbouring countries in the region, reinforcing their export potential of plastic and rubber based products.

Vietnampositions itself as a regional hub for plastics and rubber processing. This can be achieved through several demographic and economic factors: It has a population of 84 million and stands among the fastest growing economies in SEA with an average of more than 8 per cent growth over the last three years. Its Five Year Socio - Economic Development Plan 2006-2010 targets at least 7.5-8 % annual GDP growth, annual export growth of 16per cent and industrial products to account for 75 per cent of total export turnover by 2010.

The ongoing liberalisation programme coupled with World Trade Organisation admission in early 2007 has provided a strong catalyst for accelerating investment in Vietnam's plastics and rubber processing and packaging markets. This year expects to see 10 per cent growth in foreign investment and economic growth of 8.7 per cent from the previous year. To leverage industrial promotion initiatives, the Government plans for as many as 68 new industrial parks and expansion of existing ones.

Vietnamis also home to a vibrant plastics and rubber processing sector hungry to upgrade its technology to accommodate today’s increased processing requirements. This sector in particular is one of country’s the most promising industrial sectors, and the quest for improvements make Vietnam a vibrant market for international machine makers.

The debut of Vietnam's first dedicated show for the industry, Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2007, was a resounding success. 115 companies from 20 countries including pavilions from Austria, Czech Republic, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand were present at this inaugural event. 5,785 professional visitors from 35 countries visited the exhibition in which 86.8% came from the Southern region of Vietnam where 80% of the plastics processing industry is located. The success of its inauguration further affirms Vietnam's position as a promising leading and regional importer of processing machinery and raw materials.

As a trade event dedicated to serving Vietnam’s fast-rising plastics and rubber manufacturing industry, Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 provides a window for aerospace, automotive, precision engineering, electrical and electronics, furniture, medical and healthcare, household goods, packaging, leisure goods, building and construction as well as contract and sub-contracting manufacturing sectors in Vietnam to access the latest plastics and rubber processing, packaging and precision engineering technologies available in the global market.

With an insightful conference programme lineup, Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 is also an ideal platform for ideas exchange, technology update and business networking between stakeholders in the manufacturing sectors.

Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 is a timely and relevant event as it is in line with Vietnam’s goals to raise the bar in manufacturing excellence. It also provides a unique opportunity to network and offers opportunities to forge business links between local industries and foreign companies.

This year is projected to attract 173exhibitors from 21countries, and more than 7,250 industrial visitors.

Plastics & Rubber Vietnam 2008 is jointly organised by Bangkok Exhibition Services, Allworld Exhibition members, and Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of K Fair, which is the No.1 international trade fair for plastics and rubber. On a space of 7,000 sqm, it will be held between October 21- 23, 2008 at Ho Chi Minh City Exhibition & Convention Centre (HIECC), Vietnam.

More information, visit www.plasticsvietnam.com