May 23, 2008 
Over three days, 7,028 visitors were welcomed from all over Vietnam to view the largest selection of surface mount products and technology the country had ever seen. Visitors also were invited to combine their experience with a visit to four highly successful co-located Reed Tradex events in the region, including InterPlas Vietnam, InterMold Vietnam, Automotive Manufacturing Vietnam and Automation Vietnam � shows on machinery and technologies for manufacturing of plastics and rubber, mold and die, automotive parts and factory automation, respectively.
NEPCON has now become the most important date in Vietnam�s electronics industry calendar, where visitors can compare a range of products and services from more than 200 exhibitors, and network with and learn from industry professionals. Technologies were demonstrated from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan ROC and Thailand and as far away as Europe and the USA. The event attracted many leading companies from the industry including Samsung, Omron, and Juki SMT, with several companies making NEPCON Vietnam the launch pad for new products.
NEPCON Vietnam was considered a great success by both exhibitors and visitors. �Our purpose for participating in this exhibition was to increase our customer base and to have a greater understanding of this market and potential partners,� said Exhibitor Shimada Yoskue, Manager of Sales for Juki SMT Asia. �We wanted to show our best machine to Vietnam and this exhibition helped more people to learn about our products,� said Exhibitor Tanemura Atsushi, General Manager of Factory Automation Group at Panasonic Vietnam. �Since Vietnam is becoming an industrial country, this exhibition provided a very good opportunity for the Vietnamese people to learn,� said Visitor Nguyen Do Lien, who is opening his own electronics business. �I believe it will be the base on which the entire country can improve the quality of its electronics industry.�
Vietnam is an emerging market for electronics manufacturing and is becoming an increasingly important destination on the World stage. Recent research showed a strong growth forecast in areas such as semiconductor, computing, consumer electronics, EMS/ODM and OEM. With companies looking to Vietnam, the industry needed a proven exhibition platform to enable it to become a strong contender in this market. Ms. Nichapa Yoswee, Managing Director of Reed Tradex, explains, �Since we announced the launch of the show, we have received overwhelming requests to participate from technology providers in various areas of electronics manufacturing and from many parts of the world. The Vietnamese Government is promoting growth in the electronics industry, so we received great cooperation from them and from trade promotion bodies. The 2008 event has not only proved successful for the growth of the industry, but it also introduced new concepts, trends and ideas to help the region to move forward and strengthen its present position. The aim of the show is also to increase the level of electronics parts and components manufactured right here in Vietnam, rather than having to import them.�
Exhibition space for the 2009 event has already exceeded the 2008 event and will take place May 21-23, 2009 at the I.C.E. Hanoi. For details on how to be a part of the 2009 event, please call +66 2686 7299 or e-mail to nepconvietnam@reedtradex.co.th or visit http://www.nepconvietnam.com for more details.
