HCM City hosts international expos   Visitors study equipment used for packaging at Propak Viet Nam 2014. - VNA/VNS Photo The Anh HCM CITY (VNS) - More than 470 companies from over 28 countries and territories are showcasing new and advanced products and technologies at two exhibitions, Propak Viet Nam and Plastic & Rubber Viet Nam, which opened yesterday in HCM City. The three-day Propak is the leading international showcase for Viet Nam's growing food, drink, and pharmaceutical industries, featuring packaging solutions, machinery for producing confectionery, food ingredients, and others. Plastic & Rubber Viet Nam is offering to manufacturers a range of high-end technologies and equipment catering to all factory production needs, and is being held along with Propak because over 35 per cent of plastics relate directly to the packaging industry. "Propak Viet Nam and Plastics Rubber Viet Nam can support Viet Nam's growth," Tran Viet Dung, deputy director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Exhibition Centre, said. "The events will encourage industrialists to develop their business and seek new technologies and innovations while networking with world-famous companies." Viet Nam's food processing industry has grown rapidly in the last few years, while total sales of pharmaceutical products is expected to reach US$5.2 billion by next year. Plastics exports are expected to grow at 13.5-16.5 per cent this year. The event will also feature conferences and seminars on industry trends, regulations, packing design improvements, 3D printing, and food engineering development and challenges. Visitors can meet business executives from Singapore, Thailand, Italy, South Korea, and Germany. The exhibitions are being held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7. - VNS