(VOVworld)- The Ministry of Industry and Trade organized a Conference of Trade Counselors in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. The conference aims to connect trade counselors with enterprises and localities in promoting trade and expanding export markets. Representatives from 64 countries and territories, as well as Provincial People’s Committees, and hundreds of enterprises attended the event. Localities and enterprises urged trade counselors to provide further support on information about export markets. They also pushed for incentives for Vietnamese enterprises and legal consultancy in signing contracts and verifying partners’ information. Nguyen Thi Hong is Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee:“The Ministry of Industry and Trade needs to assist localities and enterprises with information on expanding markets and attracting foreign investment. Local mechanisms in trade promotion should be updated in association with market forecasts by trade counselors. We are also interested in learning about foreign countries’ investment regulations”.

In 2013, Vietnam’s export value totaled 132 billion USD, 15.4% more than last year. Such sectors as mechanical engineering and electronics witnessed increasing export value thanks to the assistance of trade counselors.