Designed and constructed to be the greatest metalworking event in ASEAN, METALEX Vietnam has provided machine suppliers with comprehensive metalworking experiences over many years.

In a competitive business climate, metalworking tools and solutions and industrialists are looking to boost their productivity. This year's event will be held from October 6 to 8, 2022, at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City, with the theme "Shape The Next Normal."

The exhibition returns with over 250 brands from 20 countries, including Accretech, Epson, Mitutoyo, Takamaz, Yamaha, Hiwin, LKM, and Showadenki, as well as several international group pavilions. Vietnam's metalworking industry is propelled by the introduction of innovative technology and a wealth of knowledge.

Vietnam is shifting from a low-middle-income nation to a high-middle-income nation by 2030, and to a modern, industrialised, high-income nation by 2045. The country's economic growth has averaged 6-7 per cent per year for the past 36 years.

Vu Trong Tai, the general director of RX Tradex Vietnam said, "Compared to other developing markets in the region, Vietnam is rising as a major market in the supply and production of commodities. The development of the Vietnamese machinery sector parallels the development of other industries. Supporting sectors have mostly experienced tremendous growth in the past few decades."

Nobuyuki Matsumoto, chief representative of the Japan Trade Promotion Organization (JETRO) in Ho Chi Minh City said, "Trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has advanced significantly over the past few years. According to our survey, 55.3 per cent of Japanese businesses want to grow their operations in Vietnam during the next one to two years, the highest percentage in Southeast Asia."

"Compared to the rest of Asia, this number is only exceeded by India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. In contrast, only 2.2 per cent of enterprises in Vietnam indicated that they would 'narrow' their operation, the smallest proportion in Southeast Asia and the second-smallest in Asia after Pakistan," he said.

Since 2021, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry has introduced an aid programme for businesses to broaden international supply chains. Through five aid project choices, a total of 103 projects have been selected. Among them, Vietnam accounts for the biggest number with 41 selected projects, which demonstrates the level of interest in the initiative.

However, Vietnamese firms also face other obstacles. To take advantage of the possibility for international corporations to invest in and grow factories in Vietnam and to penetrate deeply into the global supply chain, Vietnamese manufacturers must update their machines to enhance their competitive edge, increase production, reduce consumption, and raise the level of human resources through machines and modern technologies.

JETRO in Ho Chi Minh City, the Investment & Trade Promotion Centre of Ho Chi Minh City, and the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Supporting Industries Development will organise the "Supporting Industry Show 2022" at METALEX Vietnam to encourage the development and growth of supporting industries.

Participating in the exhibition are Japanese companies displaying equipment and spare parts they are looking for and Vietnamese component manufacturers presenting their industrial components.

This exhibition will open up opportunities for domestic component suppliers to connect with Japanese assembly companies to create an effective partnership for both sides.

It also aims to enhance the experience for industrialists with excellent customer engagement activities and services for all parties involved. Participants can also expand their skills and experience in technology to get the utmost advantage from the project.

Within the framework of the expo, the "Technology Runway" will showcase breakthroughs and outstanding functionality of enterprise machines while gaining new insights into buyer needs.

A workshop themed “Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) and Potential Applications” will delve into the latest developments in metal 3D printing, applications and solutions, and future trends from leading industry experts.

For the first time in Ho Chi Minh City, the organiser brings an exciting experience to Vietnamese industrialists through the “Puzzle Challenge,” a much-anticipated event highlight. Winners will go through three difficulty levels to get an exclusive laser engraved gift from the organisers.

In addition, the Vietnam Welding Society will cooperate with RX Tradex Vietnam to organise the "Welding Competition 2022." The competition aims to recognise and honour outstanding individuals and companies in the field of welding technology and create an effective platform for business exchange and connection.

Takashi Matsuike, general manager of Mitutoyo said, “We strongly believe in the professionalism of RX Tradex in organising high-quality exhibitions. I will invite industrialists to experience innovative technologies and new ideas and expand connections in this exhibition.”

The expos present ample opportunity for visitors to connect with international pavilions, including in India, Taiwan, Germany, Korea, Japan, China, and Thailand that will showcase their unique technologies and services and attractive opportunities to expand beyond borders.

METALEX Vietnam 2022 will continue to affirm its key role in the manufacturing sector in Vietnam, being an ideal choice for suppliers and customers to connect and expand the business and industrial exchange.