Vietnam, 5 June 2008 – Building on the success of its past editions, MTA Vietnam will further contribute to Vietnam's fast-rising manufacturing industry by bringing this quality showcase to Hanoi for the first time.

Vietnam's manufacturing sectors are currently facing the challenge of increasing demands to provide quality manufacturing solutions. MTA Vietnam's exhibitors will be showcasing latest technologies on the exhibition floor, such as metal-cutting tools, sheet metal-cutting and metal-forming, test & measurement, and industrial tools & components. Manufacturers will be able to connect face-to-face with international reputable exhibitors offering the latest technologies and solutions from the world.

There will be more than 375 exhibiting companies from 24 countries and regions, and eight international group pavilions represented by Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan. The Singapore pavilion will have the biggest presence with 41 companies occupying 609 square metres of the exhibition. Organised by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore and SPETA, the pavilion will play host to key brands from Singapore including Agie Charmilles, Okamoto, Optical Gaging, Sutton Tools and Euromac, and local Singapore manufacturers including Riken Engineering, Dynacast and Microcast.

IE Singapore will also be hosting a seminar alongside the exhibition. Titled "Leveraging on ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) – Accessing a Market of $560 million", the seminar will focus on commitments under the AFTA and how companies can leverage on lower tariffs under the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) Scheme for exports of products made in ASEAN member countries.

Hanoi , on the forefront of development, offers significant business and trade opportunities for both local and foreign companies. According to the Government's Social-Economic Development Strategic Plan for Hanoi from 2001 to 2010, the Government aims to maximise the region's local potential and foreign capital resources such as foreign direct investment to develop its basic economic standards from 1.5 to 2.5 times by 2010.

Hanoi 's favourable geographic location, stable politics, impressive economic growth and high potential for hi-tech development has attracted a number of the world's largest electronics manufacturers to enter and expand in the region. The Taiwanese Printing Circuit Manufacturers' Association will commence construction of a 300-hectare complex in August this year to serve 10 – 20 manufacturers, and electronics giant Canon Group will build a $50 million new printer factory in northern Vietnam to specialise in assembling low-cost printers that will be marketed in developing countries.

"We applaud Vietnam's efforts to further develop its manufacturing industry. With strong support from regional and international exhibitors, and continued backing by government partners, MTA Vietnam's entry into Hanoi is poised to give the industry a great boost by matching the latest solutions in precision engineering, machine tools and metalworking to the relevant manufacturing sectors," said Mr. Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Exhibition Services, President of Allworld Exhibitions Alliance and Organiser of MTA Vietnam.

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About MTA Vietnam2008

MTA Vietnam was first launched in Ho Chi Minh City in 2005 and the show has since grown to become Vietnam's largest manufacturing solutions event, featuring at least 80% overseas exhibitors in all its editions. In response to industry support and demand, MTA Vietnam will bring the fourth edition of the show to Hanoi for the first time this year.