Vietnam’s growing demands for the latest analytical, instrumentation and laboratory technologies is highlighted at the newly launched PIA Vietnam trade exhibition, which opens on 5^th March in the HIECC, Ho Chi Minh City.

PIA Vietnam comprises three dedicated events, these being Process Vietnam, Instrument Vietnam and Analysis Vietnam, the combination of which targets visitors from Vietnamese organisations in the process engineering, manufacturing, medical, scientific and educational sectors seeking to raise both quality standards and productivity. Exhibits range from process automation technologies to testing equipment for laboratory based research.

The event has attracted more than 112 participating companies from 17 countries including pavilions from Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Leading industry names include Mettler Toledo, Kobold Messring, Sick Optic and Vega Instruments, as well as the Profibus Organisation, who are promoting open solutions for the world of automation. Amongst leading trade associations attending will be GAMBICA of the UK, who represent more than 200 member companies and are world leaders in the development of laboratory technologies.

In addition to the exhibition there are three seminars being organised at the same time, these being hosted by Profibus and the Ho Chi Minh office of UK Trade & Investment. The third seminar on ‘Training in Testing and Analysis’ is being organised by VINATEST, the Association of Testing Laboratories of HCMC.

PIA Vietnam is being held alongside the well established Propak Vietnam show, the country’s leading event for the processing and packaging industries. The combination of events focuses on adding value to the development of Vietnam’s industries. In an independent survey of the 6334 visitors to the Propak Vietnam 2007 show 62% indicated that the reliability of technologies was the main priority when they were looking to source international suppliers.18.4% also indicated their interest in process control and automation solutions, which provides a strong basis for the co-location of the PIA Vietnam and Propak Vietnam events.The shows are open from 0900-1700 hours from 5-7 March and from 0900-1300 hours on 8^th March.