Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh (middle) and trade counselor Hoang Duc Nhuan (left) cut the ribbon to launch the Viet Nam pavilion at the fair. Photo: VNA

The 55th Algiers International Fair, themed "Gateway for exchanges, cooperation and investment opportunities", is taking place in the Algerian capital city from June 25-29.

The five-day event has attracted the participation of nearly 700 companies, including 200 firms from more than 30 countries and territories worldwide, specializing in many sectors such as energy, construction, agriculture, industry, services, mechanics, garment-textile, electronics, shipbuilding, aviation, environment, and education.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh said the fair is an opportunity to promote trade between Viet Nam and Algeria, as well as African, European and American countries, contributing to promoting the Southeast Asian nation's image to international friends.

Data from the Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria showed that trade between Viet Nam and the African country reached US$250 million last year, an increase of 68 percent compared to 2022.

The figure was estimated to hit US$95 million in the first four months of this year, up 5.5 percent year-on-year. Viet Nam's main export items included agricultural products, unprocessed coffee bean, pangasius and basa fish fillets, and chemicals.

Covering an area of nearly 50,000 sq.m, the fair is expected attract up to 400,000 visitors.

On the first day open to the public, the Viet Nam booth welcomed many representatives of foreign businesses to learn about cooperation opportunities./.